Seminar Report "New approaches in the preparation of curricula and standards for history teaching in secondary schools in Armenia" (Tzakadzor, Armenia, 26-27 May 2003)

Description

The seminar, which was one of a series organised by the Council of Europe and the Armenian Ministry of Education, was held in the delightful surroundings of Tsalkhkadzor, high in the Armenian mountains. The meeting brought together history teachers, curriculum planners, textbook writers and government officials from Armenia and other European countries to discuss how best to take forward reforms in history teaching. Mr Karen MELKONYAN, Deputy Head of the General Education Department, Ministry of Education and Science, introduced the seminar. He set the meeting in the context of the democratic elections in Armenia, the results of which were due to be announced that day. In Soviet Times he said history had been taught in a Leninist context, which meant that the subject had been full of ideological theory. Since gaining its independence, Armenia had been working to ensure that its history curriculum and methods were appropriate for the needs of a democratic country. This seminar was designed to help review the progress to date and to consider how the history curriculum and its assessment might best be developed further. He welcomed the participants and hoped that they would have a fruitful meeting.

Keywords

curricula reform

history curricula

standards

Council of Europe

European Commission

South Caucasus