The Inclusion and Promotion of Values in Albanian ABC-Books in Kosovo from 1945-2022

Background/purpose. ABC-books, as foundational texts for learning to read and write, play a crucial role in the general education of children in Kosovo. They also significantly influence cognitive and linguistic development while contributing to the formation of social values and principles. This study examines the inclusion and promotion of values in Albanian ABC-books in Kosovo from 1945 to 2022. Its purpose is to analyze and present how values have been integrated and promoted in the Albanian ABC-books used for decades in Kosovo schools to educate students. Additionally, the study explores the changes and continuity of values reflected in these educational texts over different time periods, taking into account various historical, political, social, and cultural contexts that shaped them. Materials/methods. This research was conducted using content analysis, a qualitative research approach employed to examine the values represented in 14 Albanian ABC-books. Results. The findings reveal that these books incorporate historical, national, and sociocultural values. The study highlights the importance of ABC-books as educational texts that contribute to instilling values in students while also emphasizing the need for education policymakers to ensure that the teaching materials included in ABC-books align with the goal of value-based education. Conclusion. Based on our research findings, ABC-books mainly present historical, national, and sociocultural values. As a result of the change in the social system, the content of ABC-books has also changed in terms of including and promoting certain values.