📚 Video of armed training at Daraa school raises concerns

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A video circulated on social media on Wednesday showing students at a secondary school in the western Daraa countryside undergoing weapons training has sparked widespread concern among activists and educators, reigniting debate over the militarization of educational institutions in southern Syria. The footage, shared by multiple local pages, shows a group of students at Ibn Kathir Sharia Secondary School in the city of Tafas handling firearms and receiving training inside the school premises. The video includes scenes of students firing live ammunition, as per footage reviewed by North Press.

Local activists expressed alarm over the incident, warning of the risks posed to students and the broader implications of involving minors in armed forces-style activities. multiple questioned the role of local education authorities and oversight bodies in allowing such practices to take place within a school environment. “This is a clear violation of the purpose of schools, which should be safe spaces dedicated to learning,” one local activist wrote on Facebook, calling for an immediate investigation into the incident. Indeed, others on social media defended the practice, arguing that similar activities existed during previous periods of state control and were once included in school curricula. One comment stated, “This was normal in the past and considered part of basic education.

Notably, ” However, opposing voices stressed that the current security conditions and widespread availability of weapons make such activities particularly dangerous. By Atoun Jan