The association of Macedonians living in Finland responded to the claims of the Education Ministry that the controversial reforms that provide the abolition of history and other sciences as stand-alone classes in elementary schools is based on the Finnish model of education. Minister Mila Carovska insists that the changes will improve quality of education, but many have expressed concerns that their only purpose is to abolish history, as Bulgaria and Greece are exerting tremendous pressure on the Zaev regime to rewrite history books.

We turned to the Finnish Government to respond and to defend the reputation of their educational model. And the Opetuhailitus, the Finnish Board of Education, responded to us through their PR official, and told us that “in Finland, history is a mandatory class for all elementary and high school students, and learning history and historic skills is at the basis of the new educational program of Finland”, the Association says in a statement to the public.

The Finnish official adds that “history is what the vision of the future is built on, and using history as a basis to argument and explain different political decisions, decisions in media communication, is being enhanced. History and civics are taught as separate classes in Finland and not together, and therefore the Macedonian Minister is not saying the truth”, the Association cites the response they received.

Carovska wants to roll history, civics and elements of geography in one class, and parents and experts have been concerned that this will be used to implement the demands made by Bulgaria and Greece in the curriculum, imposing their historic narrative to Macedonian children.

Opposition leader shared the statement from the Association, saying that it shows the Zaev Government caught spreading a lie once again.