The Ministry of National Education is planning a number of changes to the core curriculum, including history. What is the direction of change? The actions of Tusk’s coalition were highlighted by historian Prof. Andrzej Nowak. The image is breathtaking.
A purge in the history curriculum
Prof. Andrzej Nowak, during the lecture “Independence: Struggle, Sacrifice, Resignation”, which took place in Warsaw on February 20, 2024, presented the changes that the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of Barbara Nowacka, plans to implement in the history curriculum.
Examples of Witold Pilecki, Saint have been removed. Maksymilian Kolbe. Zawisza Czarny, the victory of Grunwald, Prior Kordecki, Hetman Czarniecki, Danuta Siedzikówna “Inka” were removed. The, quote, “achievements of Bolesław Krzywousty” and, quote, “the conflict with the German Empire” have been removed. There were no conflicts, there was no Bolesław Krzywousty. The obligation to place, with a quote, “events in time related to Polish-German relations” was deleted. There was no war with the Teutonic Knights, there was simply no problem
– noted the historian.
With extraordinary vigilance of the censors, the “connections between Poland and Hungary” were removed – there were no connections between Poland and Hungary in the 14th century. Removed, and I quote, “the features of the foreign policy of the last Jagiellonian dynasty, with particular emphasis on the creation of Ducal Prussia.” End. What is it about? Of course there was no Prussian tribute, there was no such thing
– he said.
There was no Kościuszko and the partitions of Poland?
Prof. Andrzej Nowak pointed out that the following had also been removed from the core curriculum:
“The student characterizes the political reform projects of Stanisław Leszczyński and Stanisław Konarski.” Also removed: “Discusses phenomena that evidence economic progress, cultural and educational development.” No, in the 18th century there were no Polish reform projects and no progress, Poland is backward – that’s clear
– emphasized the historian.
Prof. Nowak added that the student’s presentation on Poland’s contribution to the fight for American independence was also removed.
There was no Kościuszko, there was no Pulaski. The text: “Characterizes the objectives and consequences of the Confederation of Lawyers” has been removed – obviously there could be no Confederation of Lawyers. Deleted, quote, “describes the circumstances of the founding of the Polish Legions and discusses their history.” It was also removed, and I quote: “describes the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw, its system and territory.” Deleted, and I quote: “indicates on the map the political divisions of Polish countries after the Congress of Vienna.” So what’s going on here? There were no partitions, there were no divisions in this country. This is what this quote is about: to indicate the political divisions of Polish countries on the map, and that there were some dividing lines. There were no partitions, there were no partitions
– said Prof. Nuak.
As the historian noted, the core curriculum also removed the provision that, if possible, the course of the insurgency in the region should be taken into account.
What is this about? That if there is any rebellion, it has nothing to do with you. The January Uprising, somewhere in Sandomierskie, Podlasie or Kurpie – there is no trace. There is no connection between the student, his family, his tradition and the fact that Poland once fought for Polish independence on this land.
– be Prof. Nuak.
History without examples of Poland’s heroism
According to Barbara Nowacka’s ministry, history students are not allowed to learn about the Locarno Treaties and Italian fascism.
Why? I’ll explain right away. Locarno was the 1925 agreement in which Western countries entered into an agreement with Weimar Germany, recognizing the inviolability of Germany’s western borders – that is, Germany’s borders with France and Belgium – and the violability of Germany’s eastern borders. De facto, the Western countries have thus opened up the possibility of aggression or revision of the borders – perhaps, let us say, more cautiously – of Germany with Poland and Czechoslovakia. And why doesn’t there exist Italian fascism? The answer here is trivial. Because fascism existed only in Poland – in Poland fascism was born. Mussolini is not relevant here
– said the historian.
The issue in which the student gives examples of special heroism of Poland, such as the defense of the post office in Gdańsk, the battle for Westerplatte, the defense of the parachute tower in Katowice, the battles of Mokra and Wizna, the battle of Bzura, the defense of Warsaw, the defense of Grodno, the battle of Kock, were also deleted.
“News” in the core curriculum
Prof. Nowak also pointed out that the following provisions have been introduced into the core curriculum:
It explains the causes and dimensions of the Polish-Ukrainian conflict rather than the Volhynian massacre in the Borderlands. There is no longer genocide, but there was not even a massacre. There was a Polish-Ukrainian conflict. Some people say that the core curriculum is not important, teachers have a certain minimum freedom and can use this and various textbooks. Well, the core curriculum is crucial
– emphasized the historian.
Because even though there are still textbooks available today – older ones, not just from the period of the rule of law and justice, which talked about things that have been deleted. But the core curriculum sets the direction in which new textbooks are now being written, which will be ready for the class that begins their education on September 1, 2024, and in subsequent years. They will be written according to this pattern. Why? Because publishers want to make money, and to make money, they must get approval from the Ministry of Education. According to the form, the ministry first checks whether the textbook is consistent with the core curriculum. If it doesn’t agree, the textbook won’t even be graded. It is thrown in the trash bin at the ministry. This is the direction of change
– added.
The media mainly focused on removing the Volhynian massacre and replacing it with the Polish-Ukrainian conflict. This is an important issue, but it is part of the whole, and the essence of the whole is to erase the memory of Poland’s independence, that in the history of Poland there were external opponents of independence, that there were internal were traitors who sold this issue. independence and that there were heroes who defended them
– summarized Prof. Andrzej Nowak.
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Source: wPolityce