The Problems beyond the Scene: Appraisals on the Content Related Problems of High School Civic and Ethical Education Textbooks in Ethiopia

The aim of this research was to investigate content related problems of high school civic and ethical education textbooks in Ethiopia. Though different researches were undertaken on the limitations of civic education in Ethiopia, the content related problems were overlooked. Hence, it was justifiable to conduct this study. The research employed qualitative method. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. These data were analyzed through discourse analysis. Accordingly, the contents of the textbooks about rights, democracy, equality, and history were found to be distorted and presented in a manner to build the image of the incumbent while these issues are antithetical with the realities. The textbooks are found to be used as vehicle of the regime’s propaganda. The nature of the regime and lack of the professional knowledge and integrity in preparing the textbooks are found to be the main reasons behind the problem.