UN expresses concern over preventing Sweida students from accessing Damascus exams - Sarmad

The United Nations expressed concern over the situation in the Suwayda governorate in southern Syria and reports that armed groups are preventing students from sitting for the basic and secondary education exams from reaching examination centers in Damascus.

The UN Office in Syria welcomed Presidential Decree No. 163, issued on August 19, 2026, which grants students in the Suwayda governorate an exceptional exam session.

As the exams began today, the UN reiterated its concern over developments in the Suwayda governorate, particularly reports of students being prevented from reaching their examination centers in Damascus and other restrictions imposed on their freedom of movement.

The UN reaffirmed that every child has the right to education, emphasizing the need to enable students to learn, develop, and sit for exams in a safe, stable, and supportive environment.

The organization called on all concerned parties to ensure that children, with the support of their parents, can exercise their right to education free from pressure or any measures that hinder their movement and access to examination centers.

In statements made to the “Al-Ikhbariya Syrian” channel, Suwayda Governor Mustafa Al-Bakour said, “Government cadres have made tremendous efforts to ensure the success of the exam process for the exceptional session, and we managed to prepare 30 examination centers in the northern countryside to accommodate Suwayda students.”

He added, “The exceptional session came in response to popular, local, and civic demands from within Suwayda. Our efforts, which lasted 10 days to enable students to take their exams, were thwarted, and we were shocked when outlawed gangs prevented them from leaving.”

He concluded, “Many students and their parents are contacting the governorate to inquire about ways to leave and sit for the exams.”