History Teaching in the Republic of Macedonia Igor Jurukov, History Teacher

Official Educational System in the Republic of Macedonia Primary education Primary education Secondary education Secondary education University education University education Institute of National History Institute of National History Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts NGOs NGOs

Primary Education Primary education in the Republic of Macedonia is obligatory. History teaching is part of this educational level in two ways: general/combined studies (grades I - IV), and as a separate subject (grades V - VIII). Pupils between 7 and 10 years learn history within the subject titled Nature and Society Pupils between 7 and 10 years learn history within the subject titled Nature and Society Students between 11 and 14 years study History as a separate subject, 2 hours per week, 72 hours in a year Students between 11 and 14 years study History as a separate subject, 2 hours per week, 72 hours in a year They are taught about the most important events and locations of the Macedonian history. Visiting historic places like Ohrid, Krusevo, Stobi, Heraklea etc., is part of the curricula.

Secondary Education Secondary education is not obligatory, but most of the youth (14-18 years) is part of this educational level. There are two types of secondary schools: Secondary schools General education (gymnasiums) Specialised education (professional degrees)

Secondary Education Within the general education (gymnasiums) history is taught for four years, with 2 hours per week (72 in a year) Within the general education (gymnasiums) history is taught for four years, with 2 hours per week (72 in a year) Within the specialised education (professional schools) history is taught only two years, again with 2 hours per week (72 in a year) Within the specialised education (professional schools) history is taught only two years, again with 2 hours per week (72 in a year)

History Teaching World History Balkan History National History European History

Description History teaching is usually conducted through three types of instructions: Regular classes for all students Regular classes for all students Supplementary (specialised) classes for advanced students Supplementary (specialised) classes for advanced students Additional classes for students with lower grades Additional classes for students with lower grades

Teaching Methods Most of the lectures are conveyed in the so called “classical way” or ex-cathedra, whilst one part is interactive. There are also instructions held outside of the classrooms.

Outside the Classroom Teaching history outside the classroom can be done in different ways, but the most common are: Archaeological localities Historical monuments Museums

Textbooks History textbooks dictate and directly influence the history teaching. Until 1991, history textbooks were mostly focused on the world history and onto the so called common history of the “Yugoslav peoples” giving little attention to the national histories. The history of the Communist party glorifying the Socialist Revolution and the role of Tito was studied to the largest possible extend.

Textbooks Since 1991, the history textbooks in the R. Macedonia were teaching the world history and the Balkan history instead of the Yugoslav one. Macedonian national history was provided substantial space allowing history teachers freedom to study and teach the so called local history. The textbooks also included parts of the history of the ethnic minorities living in R. Macedonia.

Textbooks In 2005 new textbooks were introduced incorporating the world, European and Balkan history, as well as Macedonian national history and to greater extend the ethnic Albanian history. The textbooks also include to some degree the histories of other ethnic minorities living in the R. Macedonia. The new approach allows teachers to select and combine the teaching material focusing on different areas of students’ interest. For example, the total number of themes present in the history textbook for V grade is 48 and the teachers are obliged to teach only 36 of them.

Conclusion In the last 14 years, R. Macedonia history teaching went through a great process of change incorporating new trends, but also focusing on the needs of the Macedonian citizens, the events and historic well-known personalities that might be seen as ‘connectors’ leading to a new vision of the common Macedonian history.