Schools in Afghanistan are being given a new history curriculum. The Education Ministry delivered new textbooks containing rewritten history-a history that does not include details of turmoil and misery. It also ignores how groups such as the Taliban were instigators. Critics accused the Ministry of erasing the history that exposed these groups.
Much of Afghanistan’s dark history is excluded in the new textbook, such as the 1970s bloody coup during the Soviet invasion, the communist regime in Kabul, and the civil war between mujahideen factions during the 1990s. All of these, and more, are said to be erased in the new history curriculum.
”There is no mention of the misery [the war] brought. No mention of Kabul being the killing zone. The books say Mullah Omar was removed in 2001, without saying who Mullah Omar was,” said an Afghan journalist who wished to remain anonymous. “There is no mention of the US and NATO presence. It is as if someone is trying to hide the sun with two fingers.”
With the lack of contact with the outside world and little access to internet, students rely mostly on textbooks. Teachers have spoken about how many details of history will be hidden from their students, perhaps for a lifetime.
Many critics called the new curriculum a deception in history. With plans for NATO and US forces to leave the country, many expressed worries of vulnerability, especially to groups like the Taliban. Critics accused the government of trying to win the group over by appeasing the Taliban with a rewritten history.
The government defended that the new textbooks would allow unity between groups that were separated by ethnic and political lines. Education Minister Farooq Wardak said, “My responsibility is to bring unity not disunity in the country. I am not going to encourage a divisive education agenda.”
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