Escorted School Excursion at National Shrine Memorial Draws Attention from Trade Union - Union Advocates Successful School Excursion to Nazi Memorial
Education Union and Hessian Ministry of Culture Emphasize Importance of Memorial Sites in Teaching Students About Nazi Regime
A visit by school classes to memorial sites dedicated to victims of the Nazi regime can be beneficial if properly facilitated and followed up, according to the German Education Union (GEW). Critical reflections and alternative methods of learning about the Holocaust in class rooms are also supported by Thilo Hartmann, chairman of the GEW state association in Hesse. One such method is the investigation and laying of commemorative plaques known as Stolpersteine, which allow students to connect with the biographies of Nazi victims.
It's important to note that a single visit to a memorial site is not enough to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust and its implications for fostering a democratic attitude. Mandatory visits for all classes are not considered beneficial by the GEW or most memorial sites, as reported by Hartmann. A recent incident involving anti-Semitic ideas for the Abitur motto at a school in Gießen has highlighted the need for continued vigilance.
Visiting memorial sites for victims of the Nazi regime is not a mandatory requirement according to the Hessian Ministry of Culture. However, cooperation with institutions of remembrance culture is a fixed component, and visiting these sites is recommended by the ministry. Memorial sites serve as both educational establishments and sites of remembrance, offering an experiential and tangible understanding of history.
Seven memorial sites are supported by the ministry, with four focusing on the Nazi era. These include the memorial sites Hadamar and Breitenau, the memorial site and museum Trutzhain, as well as the documentation and information center Stadtallendorf. Educational resources and staff are also available at other institutions dedicated to understanding the Nazi past, such as the Anne Frank educational center.
Memorial sites play a crucial role in educating school children about the atrocities committed during the Nazi era. They provide a tangible and immersive experience, helping students to develop empathy and understand the historical context and implications of the regime. They also offer educational programs, resources, and serve as centers for research and documentation, supporting efforts to promote tolerance and democracy.
- The Education Union and the Hessian Ministry of Culture emphasize that vocational training in educational establishments, specifically memorial sites, is crucial for teaching students about the Nazi regime, as it provides a tangible and immersive experience that fosters empathy and historical understanding.
- For a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust and its implications for fostering a democratic attitude, it is important to supplement a visit to memorial sites with vocational training programs in education-and-self-development, such as the investigation and laying of commemorative plaques, or Stolpersteine, which allow students to connect with the biographies of Nazi victims and gain alternative methods of learning about the Holocaust.
