Educational pretext for ideological attack
What will become of the primary school history textbook that has sparked such opposition? Education Minister Marietta Giannakou made it clear last week that «nobody is talking about withdrawing it. The Education Ministry’s policy is formulated by its leadership.» The authors will make some changes in line with an Athens Academy report and proposals by teachers. But there is still significant opposition from some segments of the public, political parties and the Church, which want the book withdrawn. They claim, variously, that the book distorts history, conceals historical events, uses unscientific methodology and underrates the role of the Church in the 1821 struggle for independence. The Holy Synod even claimed that the book contravenes Article 3 of the Constitution, which states that the Education Ministry must see to the national and religious education of Greek children. «This particular book contravenes the Greek Constitution and attempts to manipulate the minds of young Greek pupils,» the Synod stated. Maria Repousi, assistant professor of history at Thessaloniki University and head of the authorial team, spoke to Kathimerini about the fate of the book in the coming school year, the changes to be made and the criticism she has received.
