ID :
33767
Wed, 12/03/2008 - 20:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33767
The shortlink copeid
Seoul high schools switch history textbooks amid 'left-leaning' controversy
(ATTN: UPDATES story with details, quotes from official, critic)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Scores of Seoul high schools have canceled purchase
orders from a major publisher following government criticism that its history
textbooks are "left-leaning," officials said Wednesday, amid rows over how to
interpret Korea's turbulent modern history.
History books by Kumsung Publishing Co., now used by more than half of Seoul high
schools, have been accused by conservatives of playing down the founding of South
Korea and glossing over the North Korean regime.
Officials of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said more than 30 high
schools in Seoul have switched from Kumsung to other publishers' history
textbooks for the upcoming academic year.
"The adoption rate of Kumsung history textbooks will now be decreased to 36
percent from the current 51 percent," an official said, requesting anonymity.
Initially, 124 out of a total of 241 schools that have modern Korean history as
part of their curriculum had ordered Kumsung's books, they said. A quarter of
them have since withdrawn their orders.
Critics suspect a government role in the hurried move. The Seoul Metropolitan
Office of Education held a training session for school principals last month
aimed at "setting right left-leaning textbooks." Principals hold the final
authority to select the kind of textbooks with teachers' recommendations.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology also extended the deadline for
schools to report their change of textbooks to Dec. 10 from Tuesday.
Cheon Heui-wan, spokesman for the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, a
progressive umbrella organization, noted regulations that a textbook change be
decided six months prior to March, when the new semester begins.
"It is unprecedented in Korean history to switch textbooks in such a hurried way.
It's obvious to anybody that this is happening because the government has
changed," he said.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has reportedly asked Kumsung
and other textbook companies to revise their modern and contemporary Korean
history textbooks. Right-wing scholars have demanded the books' authors take out
critical notes on the decision by the U.S. and the Soviet Union to put Korea
under their trusteeship following its liberation from Japan's colonial rule at
the end of World War II.
Conservatives have also said the textbooks should cast a more positive light on
South Korea's first president, Rhee Syngman, and add descriptions on contemporary
North Korea that detail its poverty and human rights conditions.
The history textbooks last underwent major revisions in 1997 as part of a liberal
drive to set history right after decades of authoritarian rule.
President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration in February ended 10 years of liberal
leadership.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- Scores of Seoul high schools have canceled purchase
orders from a major publisher following government criticism that its history
textbooks are "left-leaning," officials said Wednesday, amid rows over how to
interpret Korea's turbulent modern history.
History books by Kumsung Publishing Co., now used by more than half of Seoul high
schools, have been accused by conservatives of playing down the founding of South
Korea and glossing over the North Korean regime.
Officials of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said more than 30 high
schools in Seoul have switched from Kumsung to other publishers' history
textbooks for the upcoming academic year.
"The adoption rate of Kumsung history textbooks will now be decreased to 36
percent from the current 51 percent," an official said, requesting anonymity.
Initially, 124 out of a total of 241 schools that have modern Korean history as
part of their curriculum had ordered Kumsung's books, they said. A quarter of
them have since withdrawn their orders.
Critics suspect a government role in the hurried move. The Seoul Metropolitan
Office of Education held a training session for school principals last month
aimed at "setting right left-leaning textbooks." Principals hold the final
authority to select the kind of textbooks with teachers' recommendations.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology also extended the deadline for
schools to report their change of textbooks to Dec. 10 from Tuesday.
Cheon Heui-wan, spokesman for the Korean Teachers and Education Workers' Union, a
progressive umbrella organization, noted regulations that a textbook change be
decided six months prior to March, when the new semester begins.
"It is unprecedented in Korean history to switch textbooks in such a hurried way.
It's obvious to anybody that this is happening because the government has
changed," he said.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has reportedly asked Kumsung
and other textbook companies to revise their modern and contemporary Korean
history textbooks. Right-wing scholars have demanded the books' authors take out
critical notes on the decision by the U.S. and the Soviet Union to put Korea
under their trusteeship following its liberation from Japan's colonial rule at
the end of World War II.
Conservatives have also said the textbooks should cast a more positive light on
South Korea's first president, Rhee Syngman, and add descriptions on contemporary
North Korea that detail its poverty and human rights conditions.
The history textbooks last underwent major revisions in 1997 as part of a liberal
drive to set history right after decades of authoritarian rule.
President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration in February ended 10 years of liberal
leadership.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
