1945–1979: History and the Present

1945–1979: History and the Present
AuthorWojciech Roszkowski
LanguagePolish
PublisherBiały Kruk [pl]
Publication date
2022
Publication placePoland
Media typetextbook
Demonstration in front of the Ministry of Education and Science against the inclusion of the textbook in the curriculum (2022)

1945–1979. Historia i teraźniejszość (1945–1979. History and the Present) is a school textbook written by Wojciech Roszkowski for the subject of History and the Present [pl], published in 2022 in Kraków by the Biały Kruk [pl] publishing house. The textbook was officially approved for general education use in high schools and technical schools on 1 July 2022[1] as the first textbook for this subject.[2]

From the time of its release, the textbook sparked controversy,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] facing accusations of stigmatizing children born via in vitro fertilization, equating feminism with Nazism, and adopting an essayistic, persuasive tone.[10][11][12] During the review process, Grzegorz Ptaszek issued a negative linguistic opinion; however, after receiving a positive opinion from Klemens Stróżyński, the textbook was approved for school use despite concerns raised by experts.[13][14][15] There were claims that the Ministry of Education and Science promoted this textbook over a competing one from Wydawnictwa Szkolne i Pedagogiczne, reflected in the speed of the review process for both books.[a][3][17]

The textbook has been described as critical of Western popular culture and the West's shift away from Christianity, aligning with Roszkowski's broader body of work, including books such as Świat Chrystusa (The World of Christ) and Roztrzaskane lustro. Upadek cywilizacji zachodniej (Shattered Mirror: The Fall of Western Civilization).[10][18] Significant portions of Roztrzaskane lustro were reprinted in the textbook, leading to accusations of self-plagiarism.[19][20]

The Minister of Education and Science, Przemysław Czarnek, praised the textbook, stating that it presents the truth about Poland’s recent history, which had previously been distorted. He argued that critics either only knew the falsified version of history (created by their grandparents, security officers, and communists) or were actively promoting anti-Polish shameful pedagogy.[21]

Due to the public controversy, which some characterized as substantial in terms of social protests, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Marcin Wiącek [pl], requested the Minister of Education and Science in mid-August 2022 to clarify whether the content of the textbook had been analyzed from the perspective of the constitutional principle of the state's ideological neutrality.[22]

At the start of the 2022/23 school year, the textbook was not widely adopted in schools. The Wolna Szkoła organization reported that only 53 schools out of over 2,300 examined had chosen to use it.[23] In an interview, Roszkowski acknowledged that even fewer schools were using his textbook but emphasized its popularity in the open market.[24] The textbook sold approximately 25,000 copies.[25]

In 2023, a second part of this textbook for grade 2 was published, titled 1980–2015 Historia i teraźniejszość.[26]

Notes

  1. ^ Ultimately, the WSiP textbook was approved for school use on 2 September 2022.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Podręcznik do historii i teraźniejszości dopuszczony do użytku szkolnego" [Textbook for History and the Present Approved for School Use]. samorzad.pap.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  2. ^ "Wykaz podręczników dopuszczonych do użytku szkolnego do kształcenia ogólnego. Numer ewidencyjny w wykazie: 1145/1/2022" [List of Textbooks Approved for General Education Use. Registration Number in the List: 1145/1/2022]. podreczniki.men.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  3. ^ a b "Podręcznik do HiT prof. Roszkowskiego "przepychany", a pozostałe "blokowane"? Wyniki kontroli poselskiej w MEiN" [Prof. Roszkowski's History and the Present Textbook "Pushed Through" While Others "Blocked"? Results of the Parliamentary Inspection at the Ministry of Education and Science]. serwisy.gazetaprawna.pl (in Polish). 12 July 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  4. ^ "Afera wokół podręcznika do HIT-u. Bojkotują go rodzice uczniów i piszą skargi do szkół" [Scandal Surrounding the History and the Present Textbook. Parents Boycott It and File Complaints to Schools]. www.eska.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  5. ^ "Podręcznik do Historii i Teraźniejszości przypomina bardzo długi felieton z portalu wPolityce pisany przez incela" [The History and the Present textbook reads like a very long op-ed from the wPolityce portal written by an incel]. Bezprawnik (in Polish). 24 June 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  6. ^ "Poruszony Tusk: jeżeli takie coś proponuje się polskim dzieciom, to znaczy, że nie ma granic łajdactwa. Ministerstwo odpowiada" [An emotional Tusk: if something like this is being offered to Polish children, it means there are no limits to villainy. The Ministry responds]. TVN24 (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  7. ^ "Przeczytaliśmy cały podręcznik do HiT. Obszerna lista czarnych charakterów" [We read the entire History and the Present textbook. A comprehensive list of villains]. Onet Wiadomości (in Polish). 27 June 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  8. ^ Słodkowski, Jędrzej (10 August 2022). "25 hitów HiT-u. Ranking najlepszych cytatów ze słynnego podręcznika" [25 History and the Present Hits: Ranking of the Best Quotes from the Famous Textbook]. wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  9. ^ Nodzyńska, Paulina (18 August 2022). "Posłanka Lewicy o podręczniku do HiT: To "coś" ma zapędzić młodzież do kruchty. Aż się tu roi od braci Kaczyńskich" [Member of the Left on the History and the Present textbook: This "thing" is meant to lead the youth to the gallows. It’s crawling with Kaczyński brothers]. wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  10. ^ a b Ciesiołkiewicz, Konrad (13 August 2022). "Perswazja zamiast dialogu - o dyskusji wokół „HiT-u"" [Persuasion Instead of Dialogue – On the Debate Surrounding History and the Present]. camiso.org.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  11. ^ Słowik, Karolina (12 August 2022). "Dzieci z in vitro są "hodowane", a papież Jan Paweł II to "następca Jezusa na Ziemi". Czy jest alternatywa dla podręcznika do HiT-u?" [Children Conceived via IVF Are "Engineered," and Pope John Paul II Is the "Successor of Jesus on Earth": Is There an Alternative to the History and the Present Textbook?]. wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  12. ^ "W podręczniku do HiT o „hodowli" ludzi. „To konkretny atak. Atak, który jest kierowany w dzieci, w rodziców"" [In the History and the Present Textbook: "Engineering" Humans. "This Is a Direct Attack. An Attack Directed at Children and Parents"]. TVN24 (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  13. ^ "Kontrowersyjny podręcznik do HiT autorstwa prof. Roszkowskiego zatwierdzony przez MEiN" [Controversial History and the Present Textbook by Prof. Roszkowski Approved by the Ministry of Education and Science]. Głos Nauczycielski (in Polish). 4 July 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  14. ^ "Podręcznik "Historia i teraźniejszość". Czarnek: jest już dopuszczony do użytku szkolnego" [Textbook "History and the Present": Czarnek Announces It Is Approved for School Use]. polskieradio24.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  15. ^ "Dotarliśmy do opinii ws. podręcznika HiT. Można się zdziwić. Jeden ekspert robił wprost przytyki drugiemu" [We Obtained Opinions on the History and the Present Textbook. Surprises Await. One Expert Made Direct Jabs at Another]. gazetapl (in Polish). 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  16. ^ "Wykaz podręczników dopuszczonych do użytku szkolnego do kształcenia ogólnego. Numer ewidencyjny w wykazie: 1155/1/2022" [List of Textbooks Approved for General Education Use. Registration Number in the List: 1155/1/2022]. podreczniki.men.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  17. ^ "Eksperci Czarnka mogą zablokować nowy podręcznik do HiT. Wyjaśniamy, jak to możliwe" [Experts of Czarnek May Block the New History and the Present Textbook. We Explain How This Could Happen]. Onet Wiadomości (in Polish). 11 August 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  18. ^ "Od walki z komunistyczną propagandą do "hodowli ludzi". Kim jest autor podręcznika do HiT?" [From Fighting Communist Propaganda to “Human Breeding”: Who is the Author of the History and the Present Textbook?]. Onet Wiadomości (in Polish). 17 August 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  19. ^ "Skąd pochodzą obszerne fragmenty podręcznika do HiT autorstwa Wojciecha Roszkowskiego? Kolejne kontrowersje wobec publikacji" [Where Do the Extensive Excerpts from Wojciech Roszkowski's History and the Present Textbook Come From? Further Controversies Surrounding the Publication]. Głos Nauczycielski (in Polish). 15 August 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  20. ^ Gulda, Przemek (16 August 2022). "Potępienie prof. Roszkowskiego? Nie tym razem. Ale niesmak pozostał" [Condemnation of Prof. Roszkowski? Not This Time. But the Disgust Remains]. ksiazki.wp.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  21. ^ "Szef MEiN o podręczniku do HiT: mam pełne zaufanie do autora" [Minister of Education and Science on the History and the Present Textbook: I Have Full Trust in the Author]. www.pap.pl (in Polish). 27 June 2022. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  22. ^ "Kontrowersje wokół podręcznika „Historia i Teraźniejszość". Wystąpienie do Ministra Edukacji i Nauki" [Controversies Surrounding the History and the Present Textbook. Appeal to the Minister of Education and Science]. bip.brpo.gov.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2022-08-29.
  23. ^ Nodzyńska, Paulina (1 September 2022). "Mapa szkół wolnych od HiT-u. Tylko 53 wybrały podręcznik Roszkowskiego" [Map of Schools Free from History and the Present. Only 53 Chose Roszkowski's Textbook]. wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  24. ^ Radio ZET (5 September 2022). Gość Radia ZET - prof. Wojciech Roszkowski [Guest on Radio ZET – Prof. Wojciech Roszkowski] (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Top Nielsen BookScan Polska za 2022 rok" [Top Nielsen BookScan Poland for 2022]. Rynek książki (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-09.
  26. ^ "Historia i teraźniejszość" [History and the Present]. Nowy Kurier Galicyjski (in Polish). 29 September 2023. Retrieved 2024-09-09.