José Miguel Soto Jiménez warns about the crisis in historical education and national identity
Historian and former Minister of the Armed Forces, José Miguel Soto Jiménez, has expressed his deep concern regarding the shortcomings in the Dominican educational system, pointing out that weaknesses in basic education are directly affecting the national identity of new generations. According to the intellectual, there is an evident disconnect between current historical teaching and the values that cemented the sense of belonging in previous decades.
During his participation in an analysis forum, Soto Jiménez stressed that the problem lies in the pedagogical structure from the earliest academic levels. By contrasting his own education with the content taught today, the historian highlighted that previously, vital importance was given to the study of indigenous culture, the chiefdoms (cacicazgos), and the figure of Enriquillo, elements he considered fundamental to consolidating identity from childhood.
A boy had to recite the chiefdoms, Enriquillo… That gives you an identity strength.
José Miguel Soto Jiménez, historian.
Patriotism as a civic exercise
For the fellow writer, the solution should not be limited to a state imposition, although he acknowledged that the Ministry of Education has an unavoidable responsibility in the rescue of these contents. Soto Jiménez emphasized that patriotism should not be reduced exclusively to the memorization of patriotic dates or the protocol respect of national symbols, but must evolve into a practice of civic responsibility.
- Knowledge of national history is a key tool for forming conscious citizens.
- The defense of the nation must be manifested through the fulfillment of civic duties and rights.
- It is necessary to translate the restorative spirit into daily life, from work in the fields to hospital and academic centers.
Reflecting on the significance of August 16th and the Restoration War, the historian called for integrating these historical processes into the collective consciousness. For Soto Jiménez, the ultimate goal is to transform patriotism into a daily experience, where commitment to the country is reflected in every sphere of Dominican society, thus ensuring the preservation of the values that define national sovereignty.
