Chapter 6: The Importance of History in the Curriculum: Contradictory Signs in Portuguese Politics

Debates on history education have not been frequent in Portugal for the last 3 decades. The worries about a persistent economic crisis (which appeared before the recent global crisis) have led politicians and other decision makers to emphasize the need to improve math and science education. In this context, history education is only occasionally debated, especially when specific news stories show that conventional markers of the national history are unknown by young (or even older) people. Public debates on the whole issue of education most of the time appear superficial, fragmented and linked to a contingent, day-to-day political agenda. It is at this level of discussions that awareness about the issues related to history in school can be understood.