Education in conflict: how Islamic State established its curriculum

Abstract

In places where Islamic State (ISIS) took hold in Syria and Iraq between 2014 and 2017, its domination was followed by an elaborate educational system. As such, the terrorist organization's 'state program' is a unique case in recent history. Indeed, not only did it overturn the existing education system in Syria and Iraq, resulting in a hiatus in the schooling of children and teens, the organization went a step further by creating its own alternative educational system in its stronghold regions replacing the Syrian and Iraqi formal system. This topical paper presents a case study whose purpose is to produce a description and interpretations through interviews and official document analysis of the way ISIS established its education system. To understand these unique, unprecedented circumstances, we retrace the steps taken by ISIS to institute its education system. Our results show among other things that ISIS acted as a protostate and attempted to redefine education through the lens of a sectarian vision of Islam. By this study, we hope to shine light on the unique context in which the curriculum was prepared and implemented.

Science Education under a Totalitarian Theocracy:  Analyzing the ISIS Primary Curriculum

“…B) It must be systematically recalled in the teaching of physics and chemistry that all physical and chemical laws are laws of divine origin instilled by God in his creation." (Arvisais & Guidère, 2018b).…”

Education under the state of ISIS: What lessons can be learned from the Physical Education Curriculum?

“…More specifically, a first study focused on the integration of religious elements in the corpus of texts (Arvisais & Guidère, 2020b). Another study presented the educational intentions targeted by ISIS through its textbooks (Arvisais, Bruyère, Chamsine, Mahhoua, & Guidère, Submitted), while another one focused on how ISIS established its curriculum in the context (Arvisais & Guidère, 2020a), and finally, the analysis of science textbooks also revealed an absolutist/theocratic ideological program that promotes a very inadequate concept of scientific activity and content (Potvin et al, 2019). However, the physical education curriculum recovered was not yet analyzed.…”

“…Our research team got access to various curriculum and education documents written, published and distributed by ISIS in northern Iraq between 2014 and 2017 (Arvisais & Guidère, 2020a). All the material was posted online by ISIS itself and printed copies were also found in a number of schools around Kirkuk after its liberation.…”

“…This short document (26p.) is especially designed for the use of the instructor or, so called, teacher (Agent) in charge of education, in contrast to the other curriculum documents made directly for students (Arvisais & Guidère, 2020a). Thus, following the title of the manual, it focuses more on physical fitness preparation or training, than a physical education and sports, as announced, or even health curriculum.…”

“…In collaboration with humanitarian actors on the ground, we had access to several educational materials that have been put in place by the Islamic group. We conducted a series of analysis about the documents to better understand the group's intentions through education (Arvisais & Guidère, 2020a), but also, to propose alternatives and recommendations to humanitarian workers and actors who are currently working in the field since the withdrawal of the armed group. This specific study focused on what lessons can be learned from the Physical Education Curriculum under ISIS?…”