Young Women in Kafr Nabel Denied University Chance

Continuing civil war has ruined the plans of many who aspired to complete higher education.

Mokhlisa al-Qarjy

(Kafr Nabel – Syria) “I used to dream that I would attend the University of Aleppo or Damascus, and then it came true,” said Nasma, who lives in the town of Kafr Nabel in northeastern Syria.

But Nasma’s dream went up in smoke when her father, afraid of the regime’s military and security checkpoints in Damascus, stopped her from going there to study.

However, he did allow her brother to go to university in Idlib in Syria’s northwest.

Nasma is one of 45 female students in her year who graduated from high school in Kafr Nabel. Only seven of her peers applied to university. According to the local council’s education bureau Kafr Nabel, the number of female students at the town’s university fell by 35 per cent between 2011 and 2014.

Reem is a junior high school pupil in Kafr Nabel. Like many of her friends she has also paid the price of the war when it comes to her education and maximizing future opportunities.

Her family would not let her sit her exams for two years because of the terrible security conditions.

Others who attend universities in different parts of the country do not complain about the situation. Leila has been studying in Idlib since last year without facing any problems.

“Sometimes there is some harassment on campus but it won’t drive me to quit college. My father is understanding,” she said.

Parents hold different opinions on whether their daughters should risk going to university as the war goes on.

“I am a father. I’d prefer my daughter to remain ignorant than for her to fall into the hands of an oppressor who does not fear God. My remorse will be of no use to me then,” said one girl’s father.

Abu Mahmoud is a former government employee who stopped his daughter going to university because he was worried about her passing through security checkpoints.

“The goal of her education is no longer guaranteed since there are no work opportunities, not to mention the financial burdens of university tuition,” he said.

Others believe education is not important. “Getting married and having children are the most important things for a girl, whether she is educated or not,” said Um Fatma.

Her 17-year-old daughter, Fatma, used to go to university with Nasma but she dropped out and is now bringing up a child.

“Nasma was my friend,” she said, holding a book in her hand. “We used to want to continue our education. I used to dream that this book would be my companion, but circumstances altered my ambitions and I changed career path.”