History plan could end up in filing bin

BEFORE embarking on a career teaching history up to A-level, through the medium of both Welsh and English, I spent time teaching English as a foreign language in Indonesia.

Belitung island produced tin and attracted people from various parts of the huge country, bringing with them their own distinct cultures and traditions. Most were Muslims but there were some Christians too.

So I was intrigued by Professor Charlotte Williams’ appointment to lead a working group which in her words intends “integrating black and ethnic history, identity and culture into the everyday learning of every child in Wales”. The understanding of the various cultures which make up 21st-century Wales is to be welcomed.

However, I have to warn Prof Williams that she has little chance of teaching BAME history to every child in Wales. In 2013, the respected historian Dr Elin Jones’ working group recommended that the history taught in our schools should move away from the anglocentric focus which has dominated the curriculum. In 2018 the First Minister at the time, Carwyn Jones, while referring to one of the homes of the Princes of Gwynedd, conceded that “in some ways as a nation we are not well aware of our own history”. The cross-party Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee proposed that a “common body of knowledge” regarding Welsh History should be incorporated in the curriculum.

However, the education department has remained steadfast in its opposition to such proposals. The history curriculum is to be “nonprescriptive”. As a consequence, it is quite likely that schools serving a BAME community may well teach BAME history, while others may choose to concentrate on alternative aspects of history.

The Pioneer schools should have drawn up a common body of knowledge to be taught to all pupils. If taught chronologically, then each and every historical theme, including the story of the BAME community, could be included. It would also have been an opportunity to underline the centrality of the Welsh language for most of our history. It would be cost neutral ,as teachers will require some INSET prior to introducing the new curriculum.

I wish Professor Williams well, but beware of the filing bin in the education department where your recommendations may join those of Dr Elin Jones. W Thomas Llangain, Caerfyrddin