Union Criticizes Escorting School Excursion to Nazi Memorial Museum - Union asserting smooth execution of school excursion to Nazi memorial site
Education Union Weighs in on School Trips to Nazi Memorial Sites
A visit to memorial sites dedicated to victims of the Nazi regime for school classes is beneficial but requires careful planning, according to GEW, Germany's education union in Hesse. These sites provide valuable opportunities for students to connect with the personal stories of victims, but it's crucial to avoid the misconception that a single visit alone can clearly convey the atrocities of the Holocaust and Nazi dictatorship, says Thilo Hartmann, chairman of the GEW state association in Hesse.
Laying Stolpersteine, or stumbling blocks, is another option for teaching the Holocaust. These engraved brass plates in pavements commemorate the victims, offering students an engaging approach to learning about individual lives lost during the Nazi era.
Visits to memorial sites are recommended but not mandatory for school classes in Hesse, as stated by the Hesse Ministry of Culture. These sites serve as educational venues, offering a tangible and experiential understanding of history and serving as places of remembrance, caution, and mourning. Seven such sites in Hesse are supported by the ministry, four of which focus on the Nazi past, including the memorial sites Hadamar and Breitenau, the Trutzhain memorial site and museum, the documentation and information center Stadtallendorf, and the Anne Frank educational center.
The necessity of well-prepared, age-appropriate, and educationally-supported trips to memorial sites—such as former concentration camps—is widely acknowledged in the German educational context. These excursions provide an essential means for students to deepen their understanding of the Nazi era, foster empathy, and promote democratic values. The preparation process should include:
- Pre-visit education: Students should learn about the site's history and significance before the trip to better understand what they will encounter.
- Professional supervision: Guides or historians should be involved, and teachers should be trained to handle sensitive topics.
- Post-visit reflection: Discussion and reflective activities after the visit are essential for processing experiences and emotions.
- Consideration of students' emotional maturity: Programs should be adapted to the age and psychological readiness of the participants.
The exact recommendations from the GEW in Hesse, however, are not explicitly cited in available sources. For authoritative guidelines, it is best to consult the GEW Hesse website or official educational guidelines from the Hessian Ministry of Education.
The Community policy in Hesse should incorporate the necessity of well-planned visits to Nazi memorial sites for school classes, as these sites provide a valuable experience for education and self-development. Such visits should be accompanied by vocational training for teachers to handle sensitive topics related to politics and general news, ensuring they are equipped to guide students through these crucial education-and-self-development opportunities. Additionally, the advancement of modern education should also encourage the use of alternatives like Laying Stolpersteine, offering students an engaging approach to learning about individual lives lost during the Nazi era.
