13.10.2010
In future Belarusian history textbooks may contain a section or a chapter on the history of the Union State, said a deputy of the House of Representatives on October 12th.
As part of the educational programme the theme of the Union State is on the fringes of younger generation’s interests and is studied only in the context of the history of Belarus or Russia. Thus, since their schooldays young people are getting used to the idea that the Union State is irrelevant to their everyday lives and become disinterested in its fate. Emphasis put on history and prospects of the Union State within the school curriculum could change this tendency among younger citizens of Belarus.
“It seems quite appropriate to have a separate chapter or section about the Union State in history textbooks at some particular level, which, I believe, is either the 8th or 9th form,” said deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, and MP of the Union State Parliamentary Assembly Vladimir Zdanovich at the press conference. “Later, when new textbooks are being written, (which takes place approximately once every five years because of wearing-out) this proposal will be voiced at governmental level,” he said.
At the same time V. Zdanovich noted that at school teachers give so-called “class” or “organizational” lessons. “Any classroom teacher can and should talk about the formation of the Union State. As far as I know – it is often done in schools,” he stressed.
With regard to poor information awareness of Union State formation, of its development and problems solved, here, according to the deputy, the role of media is incommensurably more important than the role of school. “A pupil may not come to school, but they will definitely surf the Internet or will read some newspaper,” noted V. Zdanovich. “So, the role of media is huge."