Kalistani Major History

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Ministry of Education Approves Controversial new Curriculum
Some Institutionalists call Civics section "outrageous"
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
July 18, 5548


Political Map from 2nd Grade text book does not show "correct borders" according to some Deputies

His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Education was under fire this week for a normally routine matter which has suddenly drawn a lot of attention. Every 12 years, the Ministry of Education is charged with updating the National Curriculum, including standards for education by grade level. This curriculum update is usually non-controversial: It often involves pen changes and new materials that have either been discovered or have changed in the world. The most frequent changes come in the civics and history categories due to frequently shifting alliances, wars that start and end, and trade agreements.

But this year, that is precisely where some criticism of the Government's curriculum is centered. "What the Minister has done is outrageous!" said Orthodox Deputy Greta Henry, of Vrassa City. "Many deputies, myself included, expressed deep concern over the officially approved maps and other course materials that are supposed to teach our children, and the Minister has completely disregarded our concerns and went ahead with what she had planned to do all along!" The issue at the heart of the controversy is a demand by more than a dozen Deputies in the National Assembly to include what they refer to as "correct borders" on the map, showing the parts of other countries that the Empire claims but are not recognized internationally.

"These Deputies are insane," said His Imperial Majesty's Minister of Education Magda White. "We can't just produce maps that are factually inaccurate. While it is true that His Imperial Majesty holds the titles of King of Andalay and Vintalli, he doesn't hold any political authority over those territories. So we can't just add them to the Empire in our maps... that's not how maps work..." The Minister said, as a compromise, she listed the Kingdoms, as well as the Duchy of Athosia on the map, but kept them attached to their current political association rather than suggesting that they are currently under the Empire's Standard. "I never thought I would say it," said Minister White, "but I think these people are too nationalistic and its a good thing for the Empire that they are in the minority."

"What they will use these textbooks to teach our children is patently false," said Gregory Phillips, another conservative Deputy from Luxon. "Are we an Empire or are we not one? Do we have the right to take back the lands that were stolen from our Empire or do we not? I think correctly acknowledging that our lands are currently being occupied by foreign governments is the first step to reclaiming our birthright as a nation, and without directly criticizing the Emperor himself, I think he ought to sack that Minister of his. What she has done in approving this curriculum is to undermine this Empire and the Emperor's legitimate and historical claims over Andalay, Athosia, and Vintalli, to say nothing of the Colonies." For the record, both civics and history text books discuss in depth why Kalistan has an Empire, how much of that Empire was unjustly taken, and our nation's interest and obligation to those lands while they still are outside of our political boundaries.

"But we must tell the truth in all matters," said Minister White. "If the truth undermines the Empire, then perhaps the empire should be undermined, but I will also add that this curriculum was worked out in close cooperation with the Chancellery and political scientists and historians across the country, and represents the general consensus both academically and politically about what is appropriate to teach our children in public school. As such, we recommended it to the Emperor, and His Imperial Majesty also approved it. So these Deputies may not like it, but its not really up for debate."

The new curriculum will take effect for all students in the elementary level this fall and will be introduced with the incoming class at the Secondary level.