History Lesson

The Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 BBC News had an interesting article titled History Lessons Stymied in Lebanon.

Modern history is no longer a part of the curriculum in Lebanon's educational system. As the articles stated:

"Lebanon has a long and varied history, but schools steer clear of teaching about the country's recent past..."

It turns out that the kids aren't taught modern history because the adults can't agree on it. And the division does not stop with just modern history. From the article:

"Even the country's ancient history is a thorny issue here. There are dozens of the government-approved history textbooks that offer different takes on the past. Depending on their religious affiliation, schools can choose books that describe the French as colonialists or liberators and portray the Ottomans as conquerors or as administrators."

This issue was caused by the diversity of beliefs in Lebanon and was a direct result of a bitter civil war that ravaged the country for over a decade. Deep sectarian divisions still exist in the country, as well as religious and political hatred. Because of this, there has been no agreement on a common textbook with a common history.

As Ohaness Goktchian, professor of political science at the American University in Beirut says in the article:

"We are raising another generation of children who identify themselves with their communities and not their nation. History is what unites people. Without history we can't have unity."

Goktchian concludes:

"In Lebanon we don't share values and traditions. And we have an education system which contributes to the divisions among us."

As we start to prepare for adopting new teaching materials in a few years - once the state legislature decides on the year - let us be grateful we don't face the problems Lebanon does in the area of history.

Or do we?

Essential question: What determines the content of a history book sold nationwide?"

Photo: from article listed above.