A joint delegation from the Swiss Development Cooperation team, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and the Directorate of Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of Education visited several vocational and technical schools in Damascus today.
The visit aimed to assess the current state of vocational education, strengthen it, and identify pressing needs.
During the visit, which included the Third Girls’ Commercial Secondary School, Bassam Hamsho Vocational School for Girls, and the Second Industrial Secondary School, the delegation examined both practical and theoretical sections.
According to GIZ, the visit is part of a tripartite initiative involving the German and Swiss governments and the European Union. The project supports vocational and technical education in Syria, aiming to build capacities and develop strategies aligned with labor market needs, in cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Education.
Lars Bütchler, Regional Education Advisor in the Swiss government and head of the delegation, afirmed to SANA the importance of cooperation in developing vocational education strategies in Syria.
He highlighted the need to improve and expand the dual vocational training system to enhance quality and strengthen ties with the private sector, focusing on unified training standards, improved pedagogical skills, expanded dual education, and updated curricula.
Sawsan Harastani, Director of Vocational and Technical Education at the Ministry of Education, stressed the importance of such visits in assessing the educational reality and setting future plans to identify necessary needs.
She noted that reconstruction begins with vocational education, which must be developed to keep pace with global technological advancements and deliver benefits where they are most needed.
Michael Fahr, Head of the Education and Economy Program in the Swiss government, underscored the importance of forming a steering committee within the Ministry of Education to identify and meet needs. He emphasized focusing on key areas of vocational education, integrating labor market data into educational planning, and encouraging greater participation of companies in the dual education system.
The Swiss Development Cooperation team is part of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the official body of the Swiss government responsible for international cooperation and humanitarian aid. Its mission focuses on poverty reduction, sustainable economic development, and addressing environmental challenges.
GIZ, the German development agency, was established in 2011 through the merger of three German development organizations. It operates in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development, supporting projects in areas such as renewable energy, education, economy, and environment.
MHD Ibrahim
