Syria's new government is under fire after it announced changes to the school curriculum, removing all references to ousted president Bashar al-Assad and introducing what some critics say an Islamist slant.

Syria’s new government is facing backlash after announcing changes to the school curriculum, including introducing what some critics say is an Islamist slant to teaching.

Syria’s new rulers have unveiled changes to the national school curriculum, sparking widespread concern and protests. The new curriculum, posted on the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page, reflects a marked shift toward Islamisation, omitting references to the Assad era and introducing controversial amendments.

DAMASCUS – Syria’s Education Minister Nazir al-Qadri on Jan 2 sought to minimise curriculum changes announced this week by the new Islamist-led authorities, after activists denounced them as “extremist” and potentially harmful to religious minorities.

Critics fear increased focus on Islam and removal of content related to Bashar al-Assad’s toppled regime will erode country’s diverse historical and cultural identity