The addition of the book “El Golpe 28-J” (The Coup of July 28), authored by former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya Rosales, to the national education system has ignited a strong debate in Honduras regarding political influence over educational content. This publication, which narrates Zelaya’s perspective on the June 28, 2009, coup d’état, has been included in the Cátedra Morazánica, a civic education class, with the declared aim of preserving historical awareness and averting the recurrence of such incidents. Nevertheless, the production and extensive dissemination of 100,000 copies by the National Graphic Arts Company (ENAG) have provoked worries among social and educational communities about the potential introduction of political bias into the academic curriculum.
The debate is becoming more heated as comparisons are made with the situation in Venezuela, where Hugo Chávez’s Blue Book served as an ideological instrument in educational institutions during the establishment of the Bolivarian project. In Honduras, certain opponents view “El Golpe 28-J” as a comparable effort to instill political views, whereas the government insists that the document is a component of an educational initiative focused on fostering critical learning rooted in factual evidence.
Discussion and debate about the June 28 Coup
The publication “El Golpe 28-J” is described as a historical account that deals with the 2009 military coup, a situation widely acknowledged around the world as a violation of constitutional norms and denounced by international entities like the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations General Assembly. The text depicts Zelaya as a martyr and victim, whereas his adversaries are portrayed as representatives of external agendas. This portrayal has faced criticism from groups that argue that the book is deeply ideological and that incorporating it into educational programs might breach academic liberty and impartiality in education.
Even though it was initially stated that reading the book would be compulsory for all primary and secondary grades, the Ministry of Education later clarified that it would not be an obligatory requirement and that academic freedom would be upheld. This statement aimed to address concerns from educators and parents who call for an education devoid of political bias, emphasizing democratic principles and fostering critical analysis. Nevertheless, the formal directive published in the newspaper La Gaceta and the large-scale production of the book continue to spark debate about the true implications of this measure.
Public responses and potential impacts on politics
Guardians, freelance educators, and delegates of non-public educational entities have voiced their opposition to enforcing “El Golpe 28-J,” contending that schooling should stay impartial and that mandating the use of a text with a one-sided perspective might be unconstitutional. It has been highlighted that this action could restrict educational freedom and compel instructors to present a skewed account of contemporary history.
Political experts propose that the inclusion of this book in the education system might be a tactic to set the cultural and social stage for significant political transformations, like a potential National Constituent Assembly. This occurred in Venezuela in 1999 following the influence of the Blue Book. This perspective relies on the concept that controlling the historical narrative and shaping the ideology of young generations are initial actions towards establishing enduring political agendas.
The government, for its part, defends the inclusion of “El Golpe 28-J” as an exercise in historical responsibility and a commitment to the truth, emphasizing the need for young people to know the facts of the coup and its consequences. According to this perspective, educating about the past should not be interpreted as revenge, but as a mechanism to prevent the repetition of similar episodes.
Consequently, the addition of “The July 28 Coup” to the educational syllabus in Honduras underscores significant societal and political rifts concerning how education should contribute to shaping citizens and preserving historical memory. The conflict between scholarly independence and the dissemination of a sanctioned account highlights the difficulties that Honduras encounters in its journey towards reconciliation and democratic development.
_-_copia.jpg?w=75&resize=75,75&ssl=1 "Xiomara Castro")