Sir, - On behalf of the History Teachers’ Association of Ireland (HTAI) I would like to respond to the recent letters on the role of history in our schools. The teaching of controversial issues has never been more relevant. There has been a lot of debate on the challenges of teaching the Holocaust and the recent visit by President Catherine Connolly to the North is another example of the complexities of teaching history.
The President’s visit highlighted, yet again, the live debate between nationalist and unionist perspectives on a united Ireland and the conflicting narratives on the future of both communities on the island of Ireland. The study of history allows students to explore those conflicting narratives by examining events from different perspectives and equips them to be aware of alternative viewpoints. This is particularly important in an age where we are bombarded by misinformation and propaganda from unreliable sources on a daily basis on our phones, televisions and social media.
To gain a deeper understanding of complex issues such as sectarianism, antisemitism and political allegiances, working with primary sources gives the student the skills to evaluate evidence.
Over the years changes to the junior and senior curriculum have placed greater emphasis on the use of primary sources such as letters, diaries, photographs, newspapers and census records. Teachers harness the skills that will enable students to think critically, make considered decisions and gather, record, organise and evaluate information.
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Topics covered in the classroom range from the impact of the first and second World Wars on the everyday lives of people, to studying the causes, course and consequences of the Northern Ireland Troubles. They also explore the significance of genocide in the 20th century, including the Holocaust.
An informed study of the past has a huge social value in training our young people to become active citizens and to have a greater understanding of current political and ideological debates.
Reference was made in a recent letter (February 9th) to the threat to history in our schools and the campaign launched by all the history partners to restore it as a core subject in the school curriculum. Finally, that decision was made by the then minister for education, Joe Mc Hugh on October 1st, 2019. It was a proud day when representatives from the HTAI were invited by the minister to sit in the Dáil chamber as the formal announcement was made of the special position for history as a core subject.
, As history teachers, however, we are aware that there is no room for complacency and that teaching controversial issues brings a certain set of challenges.
The historian Eamon Phoenix said the following on conflicting narratives and the need for nuance in teaching history: “While the North and South have a shared history, we do not have a shared memory.”
Students are taught to value local, national and international heritage and to respect diverse values, beliefs and traditions. - Yours, etc,
DÉIRDRE MacMATHÚUNA,
PRO, History Teachers’ Association of Ireland,
Dublin 6W.
