Educational Understanding Between Damascus Government and Autonomous Administration Ends Disputes
Educational Understanding Between Damascus Government and Autonomous Administration Ends Disputes The understanding between the Ministry of Education and the Autonomous Administration of North and Eas
April 12, 2025, 10:49 pm

Educational Understanding Between Damascus Government and Autonomous Administration Ends Disputes

التعليم في سوريا \ مصدر الصورة: وكالة الانباء الفرنسية

The Minister of Education in the Syrian interim caretaker government, Muhammad Turko, revealed that an understanding has been reached with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria regarding educational matters.

Muhammad Turko stated in a declaration to Rudaw Media Network on Saturday (April 12, 2025) that "on Monday, we will announce the details of the understanding formula regarding education," indicating tangible progress in the ongoing dialogue between the two parties.

The minister explained that "tomorrow, Sunday, we will meet with a delegation from the Education Committee in the Autonomous Administration to discuss the details of the understanding," noting the continuity of dialogue to develop the educational system in various Syrian regions.

Turko emphasized "the need for several meetings, after which we will announce details about the understanding formula" with the Autonomous Administration, pointing to the importance of reaching a shared vision that respects the specificity of each region and conforms with general educational standards.

These understandings come after the Syrian Ministry of Education previously announced the cancellation of the current National Education subject from curricula and examinations for this year, as part of a series of educational reforms aimed at updating curricula.

The ministry justified its decision as being taken "given that the subject contains misleading information aimed at promoting propaganda for the former President Bashar al-Assad's regime and establishing the rules of his party," in a step reflecting the radical shift in the direction of the new educational policy.

The Ministry of Education in the Syrian interim caretaker government revealed, through its official Facebook page, comprehensive modifications to curricula for all educational stages, starting from the first grade of primary school up to the third year of secondary school.

The modifications included deleting texts and paragraphs, reformulating phrases, and removing or modifying images and drawings in a collection of textbooks, in addition to deleting everything related to the former Assad regime, and paragraphs or phrases related to deities in history and philosophy books.

This convergence in the educational process between the Syrian interim caretaker government and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is considered a practical model for the success of the decentralization approach in addressing contentious issues in Syria, which can be built upon to reach a comprehensive federal solution that respects the specificity of each region and guarantees the rights of all components.

This development comes within the framework of continuous efforts to build an educational system that reflects the rich diversity of Syrian society and overcomes the centralized domination policies practiced by the previous regime, which led to the politicization of education and its transformation into a tool for establishing political propaganda instead of real intellectual development.

US-Iranian Talks in Muscat Achieve Tangible Progress Educational Understanding Between Damascus Government and Autonomous Administration Ends Disputes

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.