The Necessity of Integrating Historical Sources from Communist Period into Pre-University Education Textbooks in Albania

Abstract

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance and necessity of utilizing historical sources from the communist period in the teaching of history in Albania’s pre-university education system. The article aims to analyze the current level of inclusion of authentic sources in school textbooks and the challenges teachers face in using them. It also highlights the need to revise teaching methods so that authentic documents can help students develop a deeper, fairer, and more critical understanding of the past. To achieve this objective, three research questions were formulated and addressed through a mixed-methods approach that combines the review of contemporary literature with both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire, while secondary sources were used to support the interpretation and enable a more in-depth analysis of the findings. The findings reveal a limited integration of historical sources from the communist period in pre-university education, insufficient teacher preparation, and a superficial treatment of key topics. The main challenges identified include a lack of training, inadequate age-appropriate materials, and limited access to relevant historical documents.The study underscores the need to revise the history curriculum, ensure a more structured incorporation of authentic documents, and provide continuous support for teachers. These interventions are essential to enable a historical education that helps students understand and critically engage with the past.

Received: 02 September 2025 / Accepted: 21 October 2025 / Published: 05 November 2025