Overhaul for history textbook
The authors of a controversial primary school history textbook have rewritten much of the content but have been told that certain parts are still not acceptable and need further changes, it was revealed yesterday. A new version of the book was presented to the Education Ministry’s Pedagogical Institute, which found that most of the 81 recommended changes had been made. The historians were forced to rewrite parts of the book because it was considered that the content did not give 12-year-olds an accurate insight into Greek history. Despite making the changes, the authors have been told that further alterations will need to be made to the text. For example, they were told that they should provide more information to schoolchildren about the impact that the destruction of Smyrna by Turkish forces in 1922 had on Greek history – an issue believed to have been treated in a perfunctory manner in the original version. The final version of the book is to be sent for approval to Education Minister Marietta Giannakou before the new school year.
