As every year, in early September, students and teachers around the world prepare for the return to school, university or any other higher education facility. But for the seventh consecutive year, this ceased to be a normal routine for Syrian children and youth. Since the onset of the conflict in 2011, the breakdown of the education system inside Syria has disrupted the schooling and academic paths of Syrian children, students and academics.
 
Education can be life-saving; it helps increase resilience and self-reliance of girls and boys, young women and men, and will have a long-term positive effect on their communities. 
 
This is why, since the start of the conflict in Syria, assistance to primary, secondary education and higher education has been a priority on the European Union's aid agenda. To address the urgent needs of children and youth affected by the Syrian crisis, the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian Crisis, the 'Madad' Fund has committed €192 million to primary education and psycho-social care. €53,5 million have been allocated to higher education.  
 
Thanks to these projects, Syrian children and Youth are provided better access to quality education from primary to university level, including scholarships to help them afford quality university programmes.