Dealing with the past, facing the future

The purpose of this study was to understand a part of the reconciliation process that is taking place in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994. More specifically this book investigates how the country''s schools are dealing with the past and the reconciliation process in the subject of history. We spent two months in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, analyzing the curriculum and several textbooks used in the school subject history. We also interviewed teachers to get a picture of how teachers talk about reconciliation and the past with their students. As a result of our study we conclude that the curriculum and the textbooks aim at making the students understand the country''s troubling past and that reconciliation is the path to a united and prosperous South Africa. The apartheid history is not to be forgotten, but the importance of forgiveness and unity is emphasized. The South African youth is being taught to deal with the past, but also to face the future with hope. However, different teachers implement the curriculum differently in their work in the classroom. Additionally there are large differences in what students have been taught about the past in their homes.