Content Analysis of Elementary School Persian Textbooks (New Editions 2019) Based on National Identity Components

The purpose of this study was to analyze the content of elementary school Persian textbooks (new editions 2019) based on national identity components. The content analysis method was used to achieve this aim. The statistical sample equaled the statistical population. A content analysis checklist was used as the research tool. The unit of analysis was sentence and image and the unit of measurement was frequency. The results of this study indicated that the rate of attention to national components in elementary school Persian textbooks was 29.87%. The component of national celebrities with 505 units was more frequent than other components. After that, national literature with 369 units, politics (the components of war, defense and resistance) with 364 units, national characteristics (the component of patriotism) and culture were of appropriate status. Other components that received less attention were Persian language, national mythology, flag, ethnicity, Iranian art, Iranian history and civilization, national anthem, ancient monuments, religion, geography and national natural sites. Moreover, the Persian textbook of the fifth grade with a frequency of 618 units and the textbook of the sixth grade with a frequency of 592 units were attempted to increase the nationalist spirit of the students more than other Persian textbooks. Finally, it was found that elementary school Persian textbooks, especially in the four components of national celebrities, national literature, politics and patriotism, have performed well, however, still due attention needs to be paid to the other components.