Episode four looks at the country’s nationwide search to find Syria’s brightest and best primary school students. Thousands of pupils will battle it out in every conceivable discipline, over three hard fought rounds of competition to become National Pioneers of the Ba’ath Party – Syria’s ruling party.

At Mleiha Rural School, head teacher Soha skilfully steers her boys towards the Pioneer final, guiding her most gifted pupils into some of the less competitive disciplines. 11 year old Imad has his eyes on the cardboard modelling prize.

Menawhile at Jaramana School, Ward has his own challenge. He’s a gifted boy who’s been picked to represent his country in one of the toughest international chess tournaments in the world – in Beirut.