Students in Baden-Württemberg: concentration camp memorials should become mandatory!

Students in Baden-Württemberg: concentration camp memorials should become mandatory!

Stuttgart, Deutschland - The return to the gloomy chapters of history! In Baden-Württemberg, all students will visit a concentration camp memorial or similar places in the future. The Ministry of Culture has assured financial support, but the SPD parliamentary group urges more: an obligation to participate for school trips!

After a dramatic decline during the Corona years, the concentration camp visits experience an amazing upswing. In 2023, impressive 33,168 pupils in funded trips to sites took part in National Socialist injustice - an increase of over 10,000 compared to 2019! This number shows that the interest in history is back and revives the memory work in schools!

Financial incentives and increasing demand

The upward trend is no coincidence! Since 2020, the country has been supporting travel expenses up to 50 percent - a strong increase compared to the earlier 25 percent. Last year more than 385,000 euros were available, and 500,000 euros are already planned for 2024 to meet the increased demand. Claims for compulsory trips gain in importance, while high schools and secondary schools participate differently. Only 129 secondary schools apply for grants last year - a clear sign of unequal participation!

political demands and social consensus

Now SPD MP Daniel Born comes into play! He vehemently demands visits to concentration camp memorials to make a duty for every student. "Jewish life is a natural part of our society and must also be present in our schools!" Emphasizes Born. He warns: the visit should not fail on the parents' wallet!

The Ministry of Culture explains that there is no obligation to participate, but there is "social consensus" that students should be accompanied as far as possible to these important places of remembrance. An administrative regulation stipulates that each student should attend such a place at least once during school. The debate has started - the next steps are crucial!