Music education at the primary level in Syria, before and during the current crisis

Abstract

During the last decade, the Syrian crisis has, in various ways, imposed many fundamental changes upon Syrian society. It has pervaded cultural issues at large with a major effect on education. Ideologies, schooling, mass media, human relationships, and mutual understanding, all have been the target of fierce upheaval. This article examines the question of how much this crisis has affected the music education system, especially for children, who are its silent victims. Is there a big difference in music education and its delivery prior to 2011 and since? Which methods do teachers now have to use when they teach and how much are these methods far and free from politics? Does music serve special goals and ideologies? To answer these questions, I wrote a short historical review about the Syrian education system, and interviewed three music teachers who studied in and currently work in Syria for the purpose of obtaining their feedback of the status of teaching/learning music in Syria. To document and support my work I included and analyzed some publicly available videos. The aim of this research work was to investigate to what extent the music curricula are appropriate for primary education especially in this time of crisis; and ascertain whether they resonate with Syrian children’s conditions and provide some positive influence during the difficult time that the country current experience.