Reports | 25 05 2020
In the heart of the ongoing war, under bombardment and the whizzing sound of bullets, there still are many areas of hope in Syria; as confirmed by Anas, who earned himself a high school diploma or a "baccalaureate," this past academic session, after having abandoned study 20 years ago.
The current situation did not prevent him from achieiving his ninth class certificate last year, and from completing his string of successes by adding the high school diploma.
Following that, Anas' brother wrote on his Facebook page: "Today my big brother Anas succeeded in his Baccalaureate—but he did it in different fashion... Anas has lived through the repercussions of the war in all its details; Anas is married and has a family for which he is responsible; Anas left his studies twenty years ago, and last year obtained his ninth class certificate."
He added: "Anas is busy 13 hours a day and did not quit his job during his studies; Anas carries the responsibility of our entire family, carrying others' burdens as well as his own; Anas does not have a Facebook account and will probably never see this post... Despite his grades not being high, but they are—to me—the best grades in the world!"
Baccalaureate from Within the Heart of the Detention System!
Despite the poor conditions experienced by the detainees inside the Syrian regime prisons; some of them were, nonetheless, able to break their detainer's restrictions and achieve success in the baccalaureate exams.
89 detainees in the central Adra prison [in the Damascus countryside], registered for the public high school exit exams, according to the regime Government's Ministry of Education's website. 78 of them managed to pass, with only one failing. The ministry blocked ten detainees' grades, asking them to report to their provinces' examinations boards—while they are actually languishing in prison!
One of the most prominent stories of those detainees is the dtorty of Dr. Ibrahim Aqrab, which was recounted by Basil Eskeif on his Facebook page.
Basil writes: "Our friend #Dribrahimaqrarb has clocked almost two years in Assad's prisons... When his jailers allowed the entry of books into prison... he decided to have some fun and submit a literary baccalaureate... This guy actually succeeded, with a couple of grades shy of a full mark!!!! What can I say to you?? Do I say congratulations?? Or do I wish you a speedy release?? Or do I ask God vengeance on those who imprison such brilliant minds?? Or do I tell you to work a little harder, to get into medical school??!!"
Success that Breaks the Siege
Since the baccalaureate results were announced on Saturday, and on the date of writing, social media was brim-full of Syrian success stories. Many belonging to the generations endangered in the shadow of war, fought the Battle of the baccalaureate. Some succeeded, others failed, with a re-take not out of sight.
Despite the exodus and siege, a number of students in Syria managed to achieve outstanding results. Nada Alkhesh, from the Palestinian yarmouk Refugee Camp, managed to land the top spot for the literary baccalaureate this year; prompting camp resident Khalil Abu Salma to write: "Nada Khalid Shawaheen from the Yarmouk Camp came all-Syria first... Share... Congratulate."
Nada's story, will not be erased from memory anytime soon, it seems. The young girl has achieved 2754 out of a total 2800, riding roughshod over her own exodus several times from her home and street; breaking the siege on the camp by the Syrian regime forces, that has stretched for more than two and a half years. She also has, in her own way, challenged the ISIS militants who came to control large areas of Yarmouk, 60 days ago.
Contradicting Expressions of Joy!
Success stories in these circumstances notwithstanding, some areas in Syria witnessed contrasting methods of expressing their joy, particularly, those that are still under the grip of the Syrian regime.
In Salamiyyah, inthe Hama countryside in central Syria, some moments of joy turned into death. Layal Saqr from Salamiyyah writes on her Facebook page: "Fifteen days separated the results of the preparatory and secondary certificates in Syria. These days also in the city of #Salamiyyah seperated between the four month old baby girl Qamar losing her mother; and child Hiba losing one of her eyes as a result of the loss of human conscience and morality, and some acting like beasts. Openly shooting into the air as an expression of rejoicing and celebrating—in a random and indifferent manner—the success of the sons and daughters of the city's Shabeeha [pro-regime thug militias]. They are the only ones who own weapons, and who have the freedom to act in this chaotic manner."
The city, known for the culture of its inhabitants, however, showcased many voices of rejection to the thugs'—and their cronies'—bullets. Visual Artist Riad Sha'ar celebrated his daughter's success in his own manner, writing: "My daughter Alia succeeded in her baccalaureate exams. So I fired five butterflies into the air."