Art classes 'permanently annulled' in IS held Iraqi city of Mosul

Islamic State militants in Iraqi city of Mosul have started making changes in the education sector whereby classes about history, literature and Christianity in schools have been 'permanently annulled'.

The IS militants group has also declared patriotic songs as blasphemous and ordered for a removal of certain pictures from textbooks.

The city, however, has responded to the demands of the group with silence. The students in schools did not show up for classes that started from September 9th.

According to the residents, it was due to safety concerns that people did not go to schools.

A Mosul resident said that it was important for children to receive knowledge even if they had to miss out a whole academic year and official certification, reported News24.

The city of Mosul represents the the expanding power and influence of the extremist group of Islamic State militants who have spread across Syria and Iraq forcing thousands of people to flee from homes.