Civic and Ethical Education and History Textbooks’ Portrayal of Group Identity and Students’ Perspectives on their Contributions in Shaping Identity
Abstract
This study examines how social studies textbooks present group identities (ethnic and Ethiopian identity) and students‟ views on the contribution of textbooks in shaping their identity. Data were collected using document analysis and interview. Interview was conducted with purposefully selected ethnically diverse university students at Bahir Dar University. The contents of history and civic and ethical education textbooks were analyzed page by page. Students‟ interview results showed that textbooks reinforced a strong sense of ethnic identity. Students also acknowledged the contribution of civic and ethical education in respecting other ethnic groups and accommodating differences. Its contribution in inculcating Ethiopian identity was not distinctly mentioned by the students. History was presented mainly in the form of narration of facts in a monolithic manner, by excluding controversies in Ethiopian history, which students stated to have limited the lessons to be learnt from it. Ethiopian identity was presented in the form of flag, anthem, respecting diversity, tolerance, commitment to serve the country, and loving the nations and nationalities. Students emphasized recent leaders and renowned people as their heroes and heroines. Implications for policy makers and the development of a sustainable Ethiopian multination state are drawn.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Abraham, S., Lawrence, B., Liu, H.J., and Ward, C. (2002). Social representations of history in Malaysia and Singapore: On the relationship between national and ethnic identity. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 5, 3-20. Ahonen, S. (2001). Politics of identity through history curriculum: narratives of the past for social exclusion - or inclusion? Journal of Curriculum Studies, 33, 2: 179–194. Alemseged, A. (2004). Diversity and state-building in Ethiopia. African Affairs, 103, 413: 593– 614. Al-Haj, M. (2005). National ethos, multicultural education, and the new history textbooks in Israel. Curriculum Inquiry, 35, 1:48–71. Amahra National Regional State Education Bureau. (2004). Social studies textbook grade 1, second ed. Artistic printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 2, second ed. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 4, second ed. Nigd printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 5, second ed. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 6, third ed. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. ________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 7. Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 8, second ed. Yetmihrt mamrecha publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Amahra National Regional State Education Bureau & Ministry of Education. (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 6. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 7. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 8. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Apple, M. W. (1996).Cultural Politics and Education. Buckingham: Open University Press. Apple, M. W. (1996). Power, Meaning and Identity: critical sociology of education in the United States, British Journal of Sociology of Education, 17:2,125-144. Barton, K. & McCully, A. (2005).
History, identity, and the school curriculum in Northern Ireland: an empirical study of secondary student’ ideas and perspectives. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 37, 1: 85-116. Calhoun, C. (1993). Nationalism and ethnicity. Annual Review of Sociology, 19, 211-239.
Chan, E. (2006). Teacher experiences of culture in the curriculum. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 38, 2: 161–176. Coenders. M. & Scheepers, P. (2003). The effect of education on nationalism and ethnic exclusionism: An international comparison. Political Psychology, 24, 2: 313– 343. Ethiopia First (2009). Interview with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Retrieved from; http://www.ethiopaifrist.com, on June 10, 2012. Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia (1994). Education and Training Policy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia. (1995). Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Haymes, T. (1997). What is nationalism really? Understanding the limitations of rigid theories in dealing with the problems of nationalism and ethno nationalism. Nations and Nationalism, 3, 4: 541–557. Herbert, Y. (2001). Identity, diversity, and education: A critical literature review. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 33, 3: 155–186. Hofman, A. (2007). The politics of national education: values and aims of Israeli history curricula, 1956-1995. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 39, 4: 441–470. Howard, J. A. (2000). Social psychology of identities. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 367– 393. Hutchins, R. D. (2011). Heroes and the renegotiation of national identity in American history textbooks: representations of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, 1982–2003. Nations and Nationalism, 17, 3: 649–668.
McCallister, C. (2004). Schooling the possible self. Curriculum Inquiry, 34, 4, 425-461. Ministry of Education. (2006). History Student textbook grade 11, Kuraz international publisher and Educational Works consultant enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2006). History Student textbook grade 12, Kuraz international publisher and Educational Works consultant enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). Civics and ethical education syllabus for grade 12, Civics and ethical education and training department, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). History Student textbook grade 9, Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). History Student textbook grade 10, Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 9. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 10. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 11. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 12. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
Ministry of Education. (1994). New education and training policy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. (2010). Growth and Transformation Plan 2010/11-2014/15. Addis Ababa. Nasser, R. (2004). Exclusion and the making of Jordanian national identity: An analysis of school textbooks. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 10, 2: 221-249. Nasser, R. & Nasser, I. (2008). Textbooks as a vehicle for segregation and domination: state efforts to shape Palestinian Israelis' identities as citizens. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 40, 5: 627-650. Pareka, B. (1994). Discourses on national identity. Political Studies, 42, 3: 492-504. Pingel, F. (1999). UNESCO Guidebook on Textbook Research and Textbook Revision. UNESCO, Paris. Pinson, H. (2007). Inclusive curriculum? Challenges to the role of civic education in a Jewish and democratic State. Curriculum Inquiry, 37, 4: 351-382. Powers, D.A. & Ellison, C. G. (1995). Interracial contact and Black racial attitudes: The contact hypothesis and selectivity bias. Social Forces, 74, 1: 205-226. Sabhlok, S. G. (2002). Nationalism and ethnicity and the nation state in South Asia. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 8, 3: 24-42. Su, Y. (2007). Ideological representations of Taiwan’s history: An analysis of elementary social studies textbooks, 1978–1995. Curriculum Inquiry, 37, 3: 205-237.
Tesfaye, S., Bohl, T, and Kleninknecht, M. (in press). Civic education in Ethiopian schools: Adopted paradigms, instructional technology, and democratic citizenship in a multicultural context. International Journal of Educational Development. Valk, A. & Karu, K. (2001). Ethnic attitudes in relation to ethnic pride and ethnic differentiation. Journal of Social Psychology, 141, 5: 583-601. Verkuyten, M. & Brug, P. (2004). Multiculturalism and group status: The role of ethnic identification, group essentialism, and protestant ethic. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 6: 647–661.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 2, second ed. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 4, second ed. Nigd printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 5, second ed. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 6, third ed. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. ________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 7. Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Social studies textbook grade 8, second ed. Yetmihrt mamrecha publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Amahra National Regional State Education Bureau & Ministry of Education. (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 6. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 7. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
________ (2004). Civic & ethical education grade 8. Bole printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Apple, M. W. (1996).Cultural Politics and Education. Buckingham: Open University Press. Apple, M. W. (1996). Power, Meaning and Identity: critical sociology of education in the United States, British Journal of Sociology of Education, 17:2,125-144. Barton, K. & McCully, A. (2005).
History, identity, and the school curriculum in Northern Ireland: an empirical study of secondary student’ ideas and perspectives. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 37, 1: 85-116. Calhoun, C. (1993). Nationalism and ethnicity. Annual Review of Sociology, 19, 211-239.
Chan, E. (2006). Teacher experiences of culture in the curriculum. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 38, 2: 161–176. Coenders. M. & Scheepers, P. (2003). The effect of education on nationalism and ethnic exclusionism: An international comparison. Political Psychology, 24, 2: 313– 343. Ethiopia First (2009). Interview with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Retrieved from; http://www.ethiopaifrist.com, on June 10, 2012. Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia (1994). Education and Training Policy. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Federal Democratic Republic Government of Ethiopia. (1995). Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Haymes, T. (1997). What is nationalism really? Understanding the limitations of rigid theories in dealing with the problems of nationalism and ethno nationalism. Nations and Nationalism, 3, 4: 541–557. Herbert, Y. (2001). Identity, diversity, and education: A critical literature review. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 33, 3: 155–186. Hofman, A. (2007). The politics of national education: values and aims of Israeli history curricula, 1956-1995. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 39, 4: 441–470. Howard, J. A. (2000). Social psychology of identities. Annual Review of Sociology, 26, 367– 393. Hutchins, R. D. (2011). Heroes and the renegotiation of national identity in American history textbooks: representations of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, 1982–2003. Nations and Nationalism, 17, 3: 649–668.
McCallister, C. (2004). Schooling the possible self. Curriculum Inquiry, 34, 4, 425-461. Ministry of Education. (2006). History Student textbook grade 11, Kuraz international publisher and Educational Works consultant enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2006). History Student textbook grade 12, Kuraz international publisher and Educational Works consultant enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). Civics and ethical education syllabus for grade 12, Civics and ethical education and training department, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). History Student textbook grade 9, Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2005). History Student textbook grade 10, Mega publishing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 9. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 10. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 11. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa. Ministry of Education. (2003). Civic & ethical education grade 12. Mega printing enterprise, Addis Ababa.
Ministry of Education. (1994). New education and training policy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. (2010). Growth and Transformation Plan 2010/11-2014/15. Addis Ababa. Nasser, R. (2004). Exclusion and the making of Jordanian national identity: An analysis of school textbooks. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 10, 2: 221-249. Nasser, R. & Nasser, I. (2008). Textbooks as a vehicle for segregation and domination: state efforts to shape Palestinian Israelis' identities as citizens. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 40, 5: 627-650. Pareka, B. (1994). Discourses on national identity. Political Studies, 42, 3: 492-504. Pingel, F. (1999). UNESCO Guidebook on Textbook Research and Textbook Revision. UNESCO, Paris. Pinson, H. (2007). Inclusive curriculum? Challenges to the role of civic education in a Jewish and democratic State. Curriculum Inquiry, 37, 4: 351-382. Powers, D.A. & Ellison, C. G. (1995). Interracial contact and Black racial attitudes: The contact hypothesis and selectivity bias. Social Forces, 74, 1: 205-226. Sabhlok, S. G. (2002). Nationalism and ethnicity and the nation state in South Asia. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 8, 3: 24-42. Su, Y. (2007). Ideological representations of Taiwan’s history: An analysis of elementary social studies textbooks, 1978–1995. Curriculum Inquiry, 37, 3: 205-237.
Tesfaye, S., Bohl, T, and Kleninknecht, M. (in press). Civic education in Ethiopian schools: Adopted paradigms, instructional technology, and democratic citizenship in a multicultural context. International Journal of Educational Development. Valk, A. & Karu, K. (2001). Ethnic attitudes in relation to ethnic pride and ethnic differentiation. Journal of Social Psychology, 141, 5: 583-601. Verkuyten, M. & Brug, P. (2004). Multiculturalism and group status: The role of ethnic identification, group essentialism, and protestant ethic. European Journal of Social Psychology, 34, 6: 647–661.
Published
2012-12-01
Section
Articles