History books will be revised: Turkish Education Minister

Discriminatory statements in history textbooks will be removed, Education Minister Nabi Avci has said. The Board of Education and Discipline is working on a revision of the content of history textbooks, Avci said at a symposium in Istanbul on May 15. "The Board of Education and Discipline is conducting a rooted study regarding all history education. History textbooks will be revised," said Avci. "The board is working comprehensively on removing the remarks that discriminate between us instead of uniting us and to write textbooks that include the success of all peoples," said Avci. "I cannot tell you item by item, but all history textbooks are being revised one by one. They will complete each other in a coherent way," Avci told reporters upon questions. Avci also said there were many elements in history textbooks that disturbed him; however he declined to give an example of this. "You will see them [disturbing remarks] when we correct them. It will be an open-ended study." Meanwhile, Avci said May 20, a Monday, would be a holiday for high schools as the Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day – honoring founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – will be celebrated on May 19, a Sunday. However, primary and secondary schools will be open on May 20. The celebrations of Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day are being held by high school students, so the following day will be a holiday.