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RACIST TERMS SET TO BE EXCLUDED FROM BOOKS
Hurriyet
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/racist-terms-set-to-be-excluded-from-books.aspx?pageID=238&nID=26775&NewsCatID=339
Aug 1 2012
Turkey
The Turkish Ministry of Education announces they have edited
and removed some problematic descriptions used for Syriacs and
Armenians in textbooks. Syriacs earlier complained of terms such as
'back-stabbing rebels'
Stereotypical terms of minorities in school books have been reportedly
removed. DHA Photo
The Turkish Ministry of Education has announced that it will remove a
number of discriminatory terms for ethnic groups, including Armenians
and Syriacs, from history books used in high school classes.
In a written statement announced by the Board of Education and
Discipline, the Ministry said phrases such as "Syriacs betrayed their
country" were not actually used in course books, however adding that
there were some problematic descriptions in the texts.
"There is no expression saying 'Syriacs betrayed the state' in the
history books of primary, secondary and high schools. In a text titled
'The Situation of Syriacs in Ottoman Empire,' in The National Education
Ministry's 10th grade history books, the expressions used for Syriacs
and Armenians have been edited and [the changes] will be represented
in the new edition, which will be printed in 2012," the statement read.
Offensive terms
The offensive terms to be removed include descriptions of these groups
as "back-stabbing rebels," "puppets of European states," and "stooges."
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Mardin deputy Erol Dora, who is of
Syriac ethnic origin, had earlier met with Education Minister Omer
Dincer regarding the books in question, which were published in 2009.
In the meeting, Dora expressed his discomfort with the language used in
the books, and requested that the hostile terms be removed. Dincer told
Dora that the books had not been published during his term in office,
and that he was also uncomfortable with some of the language used.
Board of Education and Discipline head Professor Emin Karip worked to
resolve the issue, and the Education Ministry announced its decision
to remove the offensive terms on July 20.
An official document obtained by the Hurriyet Daily News says that
phrases such as "Syriacs betrayed their country" were not actually
used in course books.
However, the document does state that a text titled "The Situation
of Syriacs in the Ottoman Empire," included in 10th-grade high school
history books, is problematic. The expressions found in it, as well as
others, will be removed for the next school year, the document states.
The document has also reached Dora's office, he said, speaking to the
Daily News, but he added he did not want to comment on the subject
before seeing the new books.
"All citizens of the Turkish Republic must be equal," Dora said. "If
we want equality in the strict sense, we must raise our children as
individuals who are respectful of human rights and have a sense of
justice. This is possible through school education."
Although Turkey faces many democratic problems, including minority
issues and the Kurdish problem, it has made great progress on these
issues, reaching a point incomparable to the situation of 15 years ago,
Dora said.
"The world is changing, and it is impossible for Turkey to lag behind
these changes. Positive changes are occurring; a new platform of
discussion has emerged. Also, demands for democracy and human rights
are being clearly expressed," Dora said.
Board of Education and Discipline head Karip, meanwhile, declined to
comment on the announcement.
August/01/2012
From: Baghdasarian
Hurriyet
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/racist-terms-set-to-be-excluded-from-books.aspx?pageID=238&nID=26775&NewsCatID=339
Aug 1 2012
Turkey
The Turkish Ministry of Education announces they have edited
and removed some problematic descriptions used for Syriacs and
Armenians in textbooks. Syriacs earlier complained of terms such as
'back-stabbing rebels'
Stereotypical terms of minorities in school books have been reportedly
removed. DHA Photo
The Turkish Ministry of Education has announced that it will remove a
number of discriminatory terms for ethnic groups, including Armenians
and Syriacs, from history books used in high school classes.
In a written statement announced by the Board of Education and
Discipline, the Ministry said phrases such as "Syriacs betrayed their
country" were not actually used in course books, however adding that
there were some problematic descriptions in the texts.
"There is no expression saying 'Syriacs betrayed the state' in the
history books of primary, secondary and high schools. In a text titled
'The Situation of Syriacs in Ottoman Empire,' in The National Education
Ministry's 10th grade history books, the expressions used for Syriacs
and Armenians have been edited and [the changes] will be represented
in the new edition, which will be printed in 2012," the statement read.
Offensive terms
The offensive terms to be removed include descriptions of these groups
as "back-stabbing rebels," "puppets of European states," and "stooges."
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Mardin deputy Erol Dora, who is of
Syriac ethnic origin, had earlier met with Education Minister Omer
Dincer regarding the books in question, which were published in 2009.
In the meeting, Dora expressed his discomfort with the language used in
the books, and requested that the hostile terms be removed. Dincer told
Dora that the books had not been published during his term in office,
and that he was also uncomfortable with some of the language used.
Board of Education and Discipline head Professor Emin Karip worked to
resolve the issue, and the Education Ministry announced its decision
to remove the offensive terms on July 20.
An official document obtained by the Hurriyet Daily News says that
phrases such as "Syriacs betrayed their country" were not actually
used in course books.
However, the document does state that a text titled "The Situation
of Syriacs in the Ottoman Empire," included in 10th-grade high school
history books, is problematic. The expressions found in it, as well as
others, will be removed for the next school year, the document states.
The document has also reached Dora's office, he said, speaking to the
Daily News, but he added he did not want to comment on the subject
before seeing the new books.
"All citizens of the Turkish Republic must be equal," Dora said. "If
we want equality in the strict sense, we must raise our children as
individuals who are respectful of human rights and have a sense of
justice. This is possible through school education."
Although Turkey faces many democratic problems, including minority
issues and the Kurdish problem, it has made great progress on these
issues, reaching a point incomparable to the situation of 15 years ago,
Dora said.
"The world is changing, and it is impossible for Turkey to lag behind
these changes. Positive changes are occurring; a new platform of
discussion has emerged. Also, demands for democracy and human rights
are being clearly expressed," Dora said.
Board of Education and Discipline head Karip, meanwhile, declined to
comment on the announcement.
August/01/2012
From: Baghdasarian