Daniel Francis

Reading the National Narrative

What I'm Reading: May 26, 2013

May 29, 2013

Top Read This Week:

The decision by a the parliamentary heritage committee in Ottawa to commence an investigation into Canadian history, including how the subject is taught in schools, touched off a bit of a squall from people who believe the government should keep its hands off history. I’m not sure why. Lindsay Gibson has a review and an analysis of the controversy at The History Education Network website.

Meanwhile in Great Britain the education secretary, Michael Gove, has been embarrassed by revelations that his claims about student ignorance of history are based on very flimsy research. 

Staying with Great Britain. There is a strong case being made here in Canada that the Conservative government is rebranding Canadian history in its own image. According to British MP and historian Tristram Hunt, the same muting of the progressive voice is happening in his country.