First, Kindergarten education: for children aged 3 to 5. It is 3 3-year fee-paying education that's not compulsory. After that, the student goes to Primary school which is mandatory and free for grades 1-9. 1st to 4th grades are called the First Ring, while 5th & 6th grade are called the Second Ring. 7th to 9th grades: Preparatory Education level. Upper Secondary education (graded 10 to 12): is free but not compulsory. Students can choose to study one of 3 streams: general, technical or vocational secondary education. All streams are 3 years.
Students at Primary school take Arabic language, foreign language, mathematics, social studies (history, geography and national socialist education), science, religious education, drawing and music. Students undergo a general exam after the Preparatory level. Successful students will receive a Basic Education Certificate (Brevet), and their scores determine whether they continue to general, technical or vocational secondary school if they want to proceed with their education. Secondary school is different because it's divided into three streams; general, technical and vocational. Each has different specialized subjects. The general secondary education has two sections: scientific and literacy. Each has its specialized subjects, such as logical math and science for the scientific secondary, Arabic literature and geographic science for the literacy secondary. After Secondary education, students sit a final exam and if they complete it successfully, the student will receive a General Secondary Education Certificate (Baccalaureate). This certificate gives the student access to a college education according to their score.
Technical secondary education has several branches: technical industrial, agriculture, commercial, and technical education for girls. It also requires passing a final exam, if passed, the student will receive a Technical Secondary Education Certificate and the occupation title of technician.Students with scores of 70% and above can have access to college education in related fields. Students with lower scores can enter a 2-year medium institution. The vocational secondary education branch comprises industrial and vocational education for girls. Afterwards, they get a Vocational Secondary Education Certificate. Graduates receive a skilled worker designation on completion. Sadly, vocational secondary education does not grant access to higher education.
The schooling system in Syria encompasses a diverse journey from kindergarten through upper secondary education, offering students the choice between general, technical, or vocational streams, each with its specialized subjects and pathways for further education or vocational training.
