Standoff over Baccalaureate Exams Deepens Rift Between Suwayda and Damascus

What happened

Syria Direct reports ongoing tension between the Suwayda Education Directorate and the Syrian Ministry of Education regarding the recognition and administration of the upcoming 2026 baccalaureate exams. Despite recent discussions aimed at ensuring the exams are recognized by Damascus, the issue remains unsettled due to disagreements over Ministry presence and supervision on the ground.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. The dispute follows last year’s failed exams in Suwayda, where thousands of students received certificates not recognized by the Damascus government after the province conducted exams independently following a deadly wave of violence that killed over 1,700 people and displaced 200,000. The violence arose from clashes between Druze and Bedouin communities and government security forces, fracturing relations between Suwayda and Damascus.

This year, a committee from Suwayda met with Ministry officials in Damascus, and an agreement was reportedly reached for exams to be held under Ministry supervision with representatives directly overseeing the process. Suwayda Education Directorate has confirmed readiness to administer the exams according to ministerial rules and allow 13,500 students to sit, but a critical sticking point remains: Damascus requires exam supervisors to be escorted by Internal Security Forces, which local armed groups strongly oppose.

Known from the source

• In 2025 Suwayda held baccalaureate exams without Ministry of Education coordination, leading to non-recognition of certificates by Damascus.
• Violence in Suwayda in 2025 resulted in over 1,700 deaths and roughly 200,000 displaced, mostly Druze and Bedouin.
• Suwayda Education Directorate and Ministry of Education have engaged in talks to ensure 2026 exams are recognized.
• The Ministry requires direct supervision of the exams by its representatives in Suwayda, escorted by Internal Security Forces.
• Suwayda Education Directorate confirmed readiness to conduct exams for approximately 13,500 registered students.

What remains unclear

Local tensions are illustrated by threats from a user linked to Suwayda’s National Guard warning of violence against any government delegation entering exam centers. Meanwhile, Druze leader Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri claims last year’s unrecognized certificates will gain international recognition and supports holding exams locally this year, though he did not address Ministry oversight conditions.

What remains unclear: Whether Ministry of Education representatives and Internal Security Forces will be allowed on-site by Suwayda authorities and local armed groups. Verification of claims that the 2025 certificates will be internationally recognized. Current security conditions around exam centers and impact of threats from armed groups. Statements from official Ministry of Education sources on the final agreement and supervision arrangements.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Syria Direct. Open the source.