TWO schools near Glasgow have been recognised for their good practice in Holocaust education at an event at the Scottish Parliament last week.
St Ninian’s High School, in Kirkintilloch, and Turnbull High School, Bishopbriggs were awarded the prestigious level two-award of Vision Schools Scotland on February 10, along with three other schools in Scotland.
To receive the award, schools must demonstrate their existing commitment to the importance of Holocaust education and to developing teacher knowledge, ensuring continued expertise in this subject matter.
The event was hosted by Jackie Baillie MSP and Jackson Carlaw MSP, guest speakers included the Cabinet Secretary for Education Shirley-Anne Somerville, and poet Michael Rosen.
Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Holocaust remembrance and education in schools provide opportunities to learn and debate many critical issues at the heart of Curriculum for Excellence – compassion, respect, equity and equality.
“The schools recognised for their good practice in embedding Holocaust education across the curriculum are shining examples of this, and I am sure the young people involved will take away valuable insights that will stay with them throughout their lives.”
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Michael Rosen told of his family’s experience in the Holocaust and why we must remember it.
He said: “I learnt from my father that there was tragedy in our family because his uncles and aunts had 'disappeared' during the Second World War.
“He was never able to find out how though he knew why: it's because my family is Jewish and we knew of course that the Nazis tried to kill all the Jews of Europe - genocide as it's called.”
“After many years of research, I was able to find out exactly how my father's French relatives were arrested and deported to Auschwitz, from where they never returned.
“We hope that when we tell these stories we can find ways to avoid or stop things like this happening again.”
The initiative is delivered by Vision Schools Scotland, a partnership between University of the West of Scotland and the Holocaust Educational Trust.
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