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SCHOOLBOOKS 'IGNORE DIVERSITY' IN TURKEY
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
June 10 2014
10 June 2014 14:20 (Last updated 10 June 2014 14:23) ISTANBUL
New report claims textbooks have not kept pace with government reforms
toward Kurdish, Armenian and other minority groups
Turkey's ruling AK Party-led reforms towards minority groups have not
been reflected in the country's schoolbooks, a new report released
today has claimed.
'Human Rights at Textbooks' saw a panel of experts examine 245
schoolbooks between 2013 and 2014 for their treatment of human rights,
gender equality, secularism and education philosophy.
The findings suggest that even recently published schoolbooks are
failing to adequately reflect diversity in Turkish society.
"The current version of textbooks is behind social and political
developments in the country. When compared to past years, problems
of minorities and religious groups have been discussed more openly.
However, those discussions and development have not been reflected
in schoolbooks," the report claims.
"Textbooks are a difficult area. We do not know how to reflect these
reforms in schoolbooks," Kenan Cayir, assistant professor of sociology
at Istanbul Bilgi University, told an Anadolu Agency reporter.
Cayir says the difference between textbooks and current discussions is
"too wide."
The report suggests that although the government has introduced
language classes in Kurdish, Abkhazian and Lazuri, textbooks continue
to ignore diversity in the country, adding that religious and social
minorities such as Kurds, Armenians and Jews are sidelined.
"Schoolbooks presume that everyone in the country is Muslim," the
report says. On gender equality, the images presented in textbooks
still present women in primarily domestic roles, such as housewives.
Despite of these problems, Cayir stated that many changes have taken
place in the last ten years. "There has been progress in positive
ways," he underlined.
The findings will be shared with the Ministry of Education.
Turkey's AK Party has led many political and social reforms during
its 12 years of government. On political front, it has pushed aside
Turkish military's influence on politics, implementing reforms to
reinforce the rule of law in the country.
In social areas, the party has introduced reforms to bring gender
equality in line with developed countries. It has also implemented
reforms for Kurdish and other minorities.
From: A. Papazian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
June 10 2014
10 June 2014 14:20 (Last updated 10 June 2014 14:23) ISTANBUL
New report claims textbooks have not kept pace with government reforms
toward Kurdish, Armenian and other minority groups
Turkey's ruling AK Party-led reforms towards minority groups have not
been reflected in the country's schoolbooks, a new report released
today has claimed.
'Human Rights at Textbooks' saw a panel of experts examine 245
schoolbooks between 2013 and 2014 for their treatment of human rights,
gender equality, secularism and education philosophy.
The findings suggest that even recently published schoolbooks are
failing to adequately reflect diversity in Turkish society.
"The current version of textbooks is behind social and political
developments in the country. When compared to past years, problems
of minorities and religious groups have been discussed more openly.
However, those discussions and development have not been reflected
in schoolbooks," the report claims.
"Textbooks are a difficult area. We do not know how to reflect these
reforms in schoolbooks," Kenan Cayir, assistant professor of sociology
at Istanbul Bilgi University, told an Anadolu Agency reporter.
Cayir says the difference between textbooks and current discussions is
"too wide."
The report suggests that although the government has introduced
language classes in Kurdish, Abkhazian and Lazuri, textbooks continue
to ignore diversity in the country, adding that religious and social
minorities such as Kurds, Armenians and Jews are sidelined.
"Schoolbooks presume that everyone in the country is Muslim," the
report says. On gender equality, the images presented in textbooks
still present women in primarily domestic roles, such as housewives.
Despite of these problems, Cayir stated that many changes have taken
place in the last ten years. "There has been progress in positive
ways," he underlined.
The findings will be shared with the Ministry of Education.
Turkey's AK Party has led many political and social reforms during
its 12 years of government. On political front, it has pushed aside
Turkish military's influence on politics, implementing reforms to
reinforce the rule of law in the country.
In social areas, the party has introduced reforms to bring gender
equality in line with developed countries. It has also implemented
reforms for Kurdish and other minorities.
From: A. Papazian