text: spent on the defence needs. Considerable damage to the economy of the country and destruction of Infrastructure was caused during the 1973 war. In spite of these difficulties. the allocations for the development of the public education and training of national personnel have Increased each year. The government strategy In this field defines education as a productive sector which will help to Increase future national Income. Education The allotments to. the Ministry of Secondary and Primary Education has Increased from 428 m. of the Syrian Pound In 1974 (6.6 percent of the country's total budget) to 3,550 m. of Syrian Pound In 1983 (9.5 percent of the budget>. The number of students during the last 10 years has Increased by 50 percent as also the number of schools. Several special lzed schools and technical cot leges have been set up. Primary education In the Syrian Arab Republic Is compulsory. Work Is being carried out to eradicate Ill lteracy among the adults. At present more.than 10 thousand schools function In the country. The centre for vocational training has been set up In Haleb with the USSR assistance. About 6000 ski I led workers and foremen finished the training. There are 4 Unvlersltles In the Syrian Arab Republic <Damascus University founded In 1923. Haleb University In 1960. latakia University In 1971 and Homs University In 1980). These Universities have faculties of medicine, civil engineering. energy, mechanics, physlcomathematlcs. chemistry as well as the faculties of the humanities. There are also 83 high sc~ools and Intermediate Institutes which train technicians. AI I the high educational Institutions In the country are state-owned and the tuition fee Is nominal. Great. attention has been paid In establ lshlng Improved facilities In the universities and high educational Institutions. For Instance In Damascus University the allocations for the constr·uctlon of new faculty buildings, laboratories. hostels and 
analysis: The text appears to be focused on the development of the public education system in the Syrian Arab Republic, with specific details on the allocation of funds, the establishment of new institutions, and the expansion of facilities. The text also highlights the importance of education as a productive sector for increasing future national income. Given this focus, it is likely that the text falls under the category of education.