UNIVERSITY OF MOSUL RESUMES CLASSES DESPITE DIFFICULTIES

The University of Mosul resumed class in difficult conditions recently after the Iraqi government forces retook the university from the Islamic State (ISIS) in January 2017.

The university almost became a wasteland due to the warfare.

"The classrooms are not usable. We cleaned the classrooms and the students were given some necessities for class," said Al-Mathedy, director of the School of Economics.

The teaching building of the School of Economics is one of the few houses that were not seriously destroyed in the university, although damage can be seen everywhere in the building. Crashed ceiling, broken doors and windows, shortage of power supply and air conditioners, these are what the students face when they sit in a classroom, but they are not their top concern.

"I forgot most of what I have learned before. It is difficult indeed to start learning again after such a long period of time," said student Lana who was supposed to have graduated from the university if it had not been closed by ISIS militants.

When the university was under the control of extremists, only a few students who support them went to school, according to staff member.

"Only a few students went to school when it was controlled by extremists. Those students support the extremist organization, but there are just a few such students," said Osama, head of the Logistics Department of the university.

After the extremist organization retreated from the university, those students disappeared as well, but for most of other students, their studies are too much behind the schedule. So, the school decided to make up for missed lessons this summer.

"They have to study in summer, and before autumn they have to finish the first year. Then, we will proceed for a second one, because we don't want to lose another year," said Ahmed, an English teacher of the university.

The students are sad about the destroyed school, and the thirst for knowledge drives them to persist in study no matter how difficult the conditions are.

Meanwhile, they all hope to get help to restore their school.

"We need all kinds of help. We lack teaching staff members. We need help in terms of school facilities," said Lazim, a student at the university.


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