Auschwitz-Birkenau should be a compulsory trip for British schoolchildren
 | By amnbrosine shitrit
January 9, 2012 | Share |
I read this morning that the the memorial site of Auschwitz-Birkenau "saw more than 1.4 million visitors in 2011, a record high for the former death camp. " via Ynetnews.com
It is part of the curriculum for Polish school children to visit the camp as part of their history. Polish people I speak to who have come to live in the UK, say that the memories of visiting the death camp, has left them with memories that they will never forget, and will pass on this to their children and grandchildren.
So why are our children in the UK excluded from these trips?
Back in 2007 a BBC article explained that the teaching of the "holocaust" would be stopped, as they do not want to cause "offence".
According to the report..."Teachers fear meeting anti-Semitic sentiment, particularly from Muslim pupils, and the government-funded study by the Historical Association said the same" http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6517359.stm
In other words,what I am hearing is that the growth in "holocaust denial" has gained more strength than the holocaust itself.
How can an educational body,deny the existence of something that was part of history? Why has the British teaching unions decided that to teach the horror of a concentration camp, which killed millions, be offensive to those who are not "jewish" or indeed offend those who were not affected by it?
Teaching unions who believe that teaching the holocaust in some way offends, should take a trip to Auschwitz.
Maybe their understanding of history is in need of some education.
.
COMMENTS
9 January, 2012 - 12:27 Rate this: 0 points | That was a very quick comment, completely sidelining the original subject. I do believe that Ireland has a different education system than the UK. So maybe you could take that up with the that particular regulatory body Mary. I am sure they might be interested? |
9 January, 2012 - 12:49 Rate this: -1 points | Not really Amnobrosine. Millions of Poles were murdered by the Nazis and these events are irrevocably part of POLISH history. They are part of British history only in the sense that they are part of world history, but then so is everything. British children are not EXCLUDED from trips to Auschwitz any more then they are excluded from trips to Ireland, Armenia, East Timor and countless other places. |
9 January, 2012 - 17:00 Rate this: 0 points | Well, let me go over your points Mary. Firstly, you said, schoolchildren are not "excluded" from trips to Auschwitz, but Mary, it is not part of the curriculum to take schoolchildren as part of a "living" history,and that is what my blog was actually saying. Now as you well know Mary, British school children do not go to "Ireland, Armenia,East Timor in their "school" life, unless their parents wish to take them. So, I can only gather from your posting, is that what you are saying in rather hidden language, is that "Auschwitz" should not be compulsory, then you are taking sides in history. |
9 January, 2012 - 17:22 Rate this: -1 points | Amnobrosine, do you think it should be compulsory for British school children to visit Skibbereen, Armenia, East Timor, Darfur etc. If you don't are you not taking sides in history ? And if Auschwitz visits were compulsory what would you do to parents, who, for whatever reason, refused to let their children go? How many years in Jail ? |
10 January, 2012 - 11:40 Rate this: 1 point | Mary, the Holocaust is unique. Do you understand that? |
10 January, 2012 - 11:41 Rate this: 1 point | Mary, your last point is just silly. Lots of things are compulsory in the education system. |
10 January, 2012 - 12:44 Rate this: 1 point | Holocaust Minimisers can bleat as much as they like but the fact is that teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory in schools at Key Stage 3 (age 11-14). Deal with it "Mary" .. and deal with the fact that the EDO factory is perfectly legitimate too It's called 'democracy' - something that seems alien to you - ask Mummy to explain |
10 January, 2012 - 13:33 Rate this: 1 point | Mary, I would very much like our schoolchildren to learn about the "slave" trade which started in the Arab Peninsuala, and still to this day continues in areas across the Middle East. Maybe you would like to take that challenge up for me? I probaly though think, you might be only interested in this subject. |
10 January, 2012 - 14:09 Rate this: -1 points | Amnobrosine, tell me that It should be compulsory for British children to be taken on trips to the Arabian peninsular and I will happily address that issue. Without wishing to be rude it strikes me that it is you that is only interested in this subject. " Amber" all genocides are unique. Jonathan I have no difficulty " dealing " with the teaching of the holocaust only with the wholly impracticable idea that it should be compulsory for British children to visit Auschwitz. I know this isn't your strong point but do try to address people on the basis of what they actually say. Transparently misrepresenting people is really very poor " Israel advocacy". Maybe when you have time you might deign to tell me what EDO have to do with any of this. Making irrelevant points is very poor " Israel advocacy" too. |
10 January, 2012 - 14:59 Rate this: 1 point | I have a feeling we are going to witness another Amberthan meltdown spectacular. |
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Mary in Brighton
9 January, 2012 - 12:09
Rate this:
Compulsory ? Well if we are going that route maybe they should be made to visit the Irish genocide sites too. Skibbereen would be a good start, and then maybe a guided hike in the footsteps of Oliver Cromwell.