Children are also confronted with images of war through the media. And they ask questions because the Ukraine war is very close. Education experts agree: This must be discussed in schools.
Education unions have advocated actively addressing the Ukraine war in schools.
“I think it’s absolutely right to address this,” said the chairwoman of the Education and Science Union (GEW), Maike Finnern, of the German Press Agency. «War in Europe – there have been few such drastic events in our society since the Second World War. This must be addressed in schools in order to provide information and to absorb fears and apprehensions that also arise.”
Finnern spoke out in favor of actively addressing the topic with the students. “Of course, this has to be done in an age-appropriate way, but that’s how teachers work anyway, because that’s what they’ve learned.”
Pictures trigger fears in students
The chairman of the Education and Training Association (VBE), Udo Beckmann, made a similar statement. The pictures and impressions did not leave the students untouched and triggered fears that should also be addressed at school, he told the dpa. In addition, the educational mission of schools is based on an understanding of values based on democracy, human dignity, freedom and peaceful coexistence of all people. “Against this background, I see a real need to make the Russian actions in Ukraine the subject of more than just political education.”
According to the President of the German Teachers’ Association, Heinz-Peter Meidinger, schools have already shown in the past few days that there is a great need for talks and discussions. Just like in society as a whole, the shock and tangible dismay of many children and young people is enormous, he told the dpa. “If schools want to fulfill their mission of educating our students about democracy and making a contribution to peace education – and this is anchored in the framework curricula in all federal states, then this first war of aggression in Europe for over 80 years must be addressed.”
Psychological counseling if necessary
The federal states responsible for education have already taken action. For example, on the day of the Russian attack on Ukraine, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Minister of Education, Simone Oldenburg (left), recommended allowing time in class to talk about it. If necessary, psychological counseling can be organised.
The Thuringian Ministry of Education announced a letter for schools with information on how to deal with the topic. “The children and young people should not be left alone with these events,” said a ministry spokesman. The letter should also go to youth welfare facilities and kindergartens.
Saxony’s Minister of Education Christian Piwarz (CDU) encouraged teachers in a letter to the schools to address current events, including reporting in the classroom. “Until now, children and young people, like many of their parents and teachers, only knew war from stories and school books. Unfortunately, he has now come closer to the reality of our lives and has arrived in Europe,” wrote Piwarz. In these worrying times, school must be a safe haven more than ever.
Source: Stern
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