Two pupils from every sixth form and college in the country will be able to visit Auschwitz and learn about the Holocaust thanks to £4.65m of funding to the Holocaust Educational Trust announced by Schools Minister Jim Knight today.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls will meet youngsters from across the country who have already been on the visits to Auschwitz at a special event at the Imperial War Museum tomorrow.

The funding means the Holocaust Educational Trust’s ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme will continue for another three years from 2008 to 2011. Each visit takes up to 200 students from across the country to Auschwitz in Poland, where expert guides and educators from the UK show pupils around the site and let them see first hand where the horrendous atrocities occurred.

The visits, combined with an orientation seminar beforehand where students hear testimony from an Auschwitz survivor and a follow up seminar after the visit, provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about the Holocaust and its vital lessons which remain relevant today. On returning to their schools and local communities, students are required to disseminate what they have learned to their peers through a wide variety of activities and programmes.

Ministers will also issue a statement to media and embassies across the world today to refute once and for all the internet myth that the Holocaust has been removed from the national curriculum. The email rumour, which has circulated around the globe, is entirely false and the Holocaust remains a compulsory part of the curriculum for 11 to 14 year olds.  

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“The Holocaust was one of the most horrific and profound events in world history and I want every young person to have an understanding of it. Over 60 years on there are still lessons that we can all learn from this and the funding we are announcing today is money wisely spent.  

'Not only do young people visit the site of one of history’s greatest atrocities, but they come back inspired to make a difference today. The incredible work they undertake in their communities to teach others about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination bears witness to this.

“Teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory in all secondary schools between the ages of 11 and 14 and can also be studied in GCSE history courses when studying the Second World War. There is also scope to cover it in English, politics lessons and citizenship classes. The Holocaust Educational Trust’s project is extremely valuable and one I am delighted the Government is able to support.”

Jim Knight, Schools Minister, said:

“I visited Auschwitz with the Holocaust Educational Trust in November last year with students from across the country. It was a deeply moving experience, one that I will never forget.

“Sometimes getting out of the classroom and actually visiting the places where historic events happened can be the best way to truly grasp the enormity of what occurred. The pupils who visited with me were visibly moved and this funding will allow more students to visit  Auschwitz and learn about the horror of the Holocaust.  It is vital that future generations understand the lessons of Auschwitz both for its own importance, but also to understand other genocides and hate crimes."

Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said:

“This announcement is a clear demonstration of the Government’s continued support for Holocaust education and the powerful impact of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project.  

“Students from all over the country have taken part in the Project and as a result become ambassadors in their own communities, raising awareness of the past and challenging prejudice and racism today.

“ With survivors of the Holocaust becoming fewer and frailer, this is an essential added dimension to Holocaust education and we are grateful for the Government’s ongoing support.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

 This press notice applies to England

1. The set-up of the visits is valuable for pupils, with pre and post visit sessions with a trained Lessons for Auschwitz co-ordinator. The requirement for all those who have been on the visit to undertake follow up work is excellent as it means that these pupils can share their experiences and the lessons they have learnt with their schools and communities.

2. The Holocaust is a compulsory part of the Key Stage 3 history curriculum and can also be taught in PSHE, politics, English and citizenship lessons.

3. Secretary of State, Ed Balls, will be speaking about the funding at an event at the Imperial War Museum on Tuesday 5 February where students who have participated in the Lessons from Auschwitz Project will be exhibiting their follow-up work. Please email het@theproffice.com to attend.

4. Statement to be sent to all embassies and world media from Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, on teaching the Holocaust in schools:

“I want to put an end once and for all to the myth that the Holocaust is not being taught in schools or is being removed from the curriculum. I am pleased to confirm that this is absolutely not the case. Teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory in all secondary schools between the ages of 11 and 14 and can also be studied in GCSE history courses when studying the Second World War. There is also scope to cover it in English, politics lessons and citizenship classes.

“We are clear that there are certain non-negotiable subjects, which are protected in schools; one of those is the Holocaust. There is no evidence that schools are breaking the rules and not teaching the Holocaust. We also fund visits for young people from every secondary school and college to go to Auschwitz.

“I believe the Holocaust was one of the most horrific events in world history and I want every young person to have an understanding of it.”

5. The Holocaust Educational Trust was established in 1988 to educate young people from every ethnic background about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today. HET works in schools, universities and in the community to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust, providing teacher training, an outreach programme for schools, teaching aids and resource materials. HET regard one of their earliest achievements as ensuring the Holocaust formed part of the National Curriculum for History. HET continues to play a leading role in training teachers on how best to teach the Holocaust.

6. The Holocaust Educational Trust took 3000 students to Auschwitz in 2007 as part of their Lessons from Auschwitz project and will take up to 4000 in 2008.

Related links:
Ed Balls: Teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory Department for Children, Schools and Families
The Holocaust Education Trust

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