Russian textbook faces school ban

Putin: Textbooks should not be an arena for political battles

A textbook on modern Russian history may be banned in schools because it includes criticism of President Putin.

The Education Ministry is considering removing the book's status as an approved textbook.

The book invites students to comment on statements which accuse Mr Putin of being an authoritarian leader.

The BBC's Jonathan Charles in Moscow says the moves may be linked to the fact that elections for the Russian parliament are just over a week away.

Our correspondent says an attempt to ban the book will only fuel criticism of the president and give fresh ammunition to those who argue that freedom of speech and information have suffered during his term in office.

These textbooks should inculcate pride in people, both in the history of their homeland and in their country President Vladimir Putin

Mr Putin has said that history textbooks should foster a feeling of pride for one's country, and should not become an arena for ideological and political battles.

He said that while it was a good thing that the country had moved away from the ideological presentation of history of the Communist era, it was not acceptable to "go to the other extreme".

"These textbooks should... set out the facts of history, they should inculcate pride in people, particularly the young, both in the history of their homeland and in their country," he said.

Conclusions

The book at the centre of the dispute, titled 20th Century History of the Fatherland, is used by tens of thousands of Russian students.

The author, Igor Dolutsky, wrote a passage assessing Mr Putin's achievements since he became president in 2000.

He invites students to draw conclusions based on the facts he sets out.

Clearly something has happened - not with the textbook but with the country and with the ministry Igor Dolutsky Textbook author

One of the statements is a quote from liberal opposition politician Grigory Yavlinsky, which states that Russia became a police state in 2001.

The passage finishes with a quote from Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov in praise of liberal reforms.

Mr Dolutsky told a private Russian radio station that Education Minister Vladimir Filippov had been angered by the passage, which had surprised him.

"I don't understand who can condemn this," Mr Dolutsky said.

"It's surprising that a textbook that was approved by the ministry... in June 2001 and that has been in print for two years has suddenly come to the surface as unacceptable," he added.

"Clearly something has happened, not with the textbook but with the country and with the ministry."

A panel of experts is now examining the book and may decide to revoke its seal of approval.

This would mean it could no longer be used as an official textbook but could still be assigned as reading material by teachers.