Darcos nuance his remarks on the link-Parliament teaching of history

The Minister of Education has qualified his remarks Wednesday after viewing the eve of Parliament to entrust the responsibility to prescribe "what should be taught", including history, a sensitive issue for teachers who are demanding full freedom for their discipline. "Does he should not be a good time for all what we consider to be taught to students is prescribed by national representation", was asked Tuesday Xavier Darcos in the National Assembly. Heard by members of the mission of information on matters memorial ", he added:" As far as history in particular, I wonder even if it is not necessary "because" we have to less major topics to be recognized once and for all. " Volte-face explanation or simple text? On this sensitive issue, Xavier Darcos to be held twice Wednesday. At the exit of the Council of Ministers, first, he said he would accept "no political interference in the teaching of history." "This is, as we did for primary education (whose programs have been changed for the start), to obtain the opinion of the national representation on how the programs are directed" at - he said. The programs are "a regulatory powers of the Minister of National Education, said moreover to AFP minister's entourage. However, it is the "Nation said" what are the key dates and events to celebrate, argued the minister. Mr. Darcos has also sent a letter to the academician Pierre Nora, president of the association "Freedom for history", including campaigning for freedom of expression historians face of political interference. The minister assured that "it does not" in its "intention to ask Parliament to replace the community of historians to define the content of the programs history." He asked Mr. Nora to inform him of his "feeling" about this "recurring debate." Questioned by AFP, the historian Jean-Pierre Azema, member of the association, has "a personal, condemned without appeal this new attempt to impose what should be taught in history." Stressing that "educational freedom" is "absolutely necessary", he deemed "unacceptable for political power and parliamentary government can impose what must be sought and a fortiori taught." However, "it is in the role of national representation to establish commemorations," he added. "The remarks of the minister held Tuesday concern us, those of Wednesday reassure us," said his side Hubert Tison, president of the Association of Professors of history and geography. "Parliament can question the place and importance of history, but it would be dangerous because it legislates in Programs, which must be made by the experts," he said. According to him, the gap between what the minister held Tuesday and Wednesday is "perhaps because there is debate in his ministry on the teaching of history." The relationship between politics and teaching of history have often been subject to controversy. In 2005, Article 4 of the Law of 23 February 2005, requiring teachers to discuss their courses in the "positive role of the French presence overseas" and have been challenged had been repealed at the request of Jacques Chirac.