Resources

The freedom to educate, guaranteed by the (Lebanese) constitution, has led to an educational pluralism which has not helped in promoting our social cohesion. Indeed, sectarianism has permeated our efforts for nation building ever since the Millet system of the Ottomans and until the Taef Accord. There was thus an urgent necessity to unite the historical memory of the citizenry in order to advance the elements which join together and fill in the chasm separating the Lebanese.

The members of parliament meeting in Taef took the decision: Both the textbooks of history and civics must be unified! Following continual meetings and great efforts of historians and educators, the aims and curricula of the history program were set and were published as decree number 3175 in the Official Gazette number 27 dated June 22, 2000. The books for the first cycle were subsequently published, but they were not implemented, though the reasons for that were not substantial. The matter remained stalled until Dr. Hasan Mneimneh became minister of national education and restarted the work on the new curriculum.

The committee charged with the task completed the curriculum for the elementary and intermediate levels but this has not yet been adopted by the council of ministers. The aims set for the history school program and published in decree number 3175/2000 are appropriate, in my opinion, for all the Lebanese, whatever their affiliation.

They remained above sectarianism and confessionalism and Lebanese chauvinism, and were at home in the wide expanses of the Lebanese and Arab perspectives, as well as open to all humanity. They emphasized diversity in unity rather than pluralism which suggested division.

They also emphasized seeking historical accuracy, and that is why I believe that the unified history textbook is possible and not impossible. Unifying this book will be the start of a long process which will lead to strengthening the sense of belonging to one state, and will eliminate sectarianism. This is because it was established on principles which I believe are important, and which I have detailed in this paper.