German education experts seek ban on Turkish books

Lessons in Turkish aim to teach students about their heritage Education experts in Germany have called for a ban on some textbooks issued by Turkish authorities for use in German schools. They fear the books have a biased view of history.Swearing an oath to the Turkish motherland is a normal part of school life in Turkey. In German classrooms, however, it is causing a stir. "It's my goal to protect the young, honour the aged and love my country and motherland more than myself."
It is a quote from the "Türkce ve Türk Kültürü" ("Turkish and Turkish culture") textbook that many teachers in Germany are using to teach pupils in Germany of Turkish origin in Turkish.
It was specifically issued by the Ministry for National Education of the Republic of Turkey in Ankara for use abroad. The Turkish consulates in Germany sent the books out to all Turkish teachers in Germany, claiming that there simply wasn't a better choice that could be used everywhere.
But that's not so, said Hassan Taschkale, who is responsible for multicultural politics at the Education and Science Union in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia. "There is sufficient and very good material out there, that's why I'm not using these books," he explained.
"It seems the government in Turkey is trying to impose its rituals on German-Turkish students, too," he claimed.
The contentious textbooks have primarily been used in North Rhine-Westphalia, as teachers there are free to use additional material that is not normally included in the curriculum.
After many schools complained about the textbooks' content, the union has called for the books to be banned.
The group said it fears the texts are too nationalistic and, in places, present a skewed view of history. The state's School Ministry is investigating those claims.
The Turkish Embassy in Germany would not comment on the commotion surrounding the textbooks, instead pointing out Germany's policy of not recognising dual citizenship. "The people between the ages of 18 and 23 who chose Turkish citizenship regrettably lose their German citizenship according to German law," the embassy said. "If you look at these young people as future Turkish citizens, then it is their right to get to know their culture and language."