Administration: Gaza war should be a topic in the classroom
According to the education administration, the war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas should definitely be a topic in Berlin schools. "Dealing with the events in class, including the exchange of controversial positions, is permitted and expressly desired," a spokesperson for the Senate Department for Education told the German Press Agency. "We have already provided schools with teaching suggestions, online training courses and collections of materials."
It is important to offer discussions for pupils in order to address and process the different perspectives together and, if necessary, with external cooperation partners. The war in the Gaza Strip has long since reached schoolyards and classrooms. Just a few days after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, there was even a violent confrontation between a pupil and a teacher at a secondary school in Neukölln against this backdrop.
"The atmosphere in school playgrounds throughout Germany is tense and charged," said the spokesperson for the education administration. If necessary, the school inspectorate is always available. "Schools can also seek external support in the areas of democracy education, anti-Semitism prevention and explaining the Middle East conflict," explained the spokesperson. "If school peace is at risk, the police prevention officer can also be contacted in special cases."
According to the education administration, it is in close contact with the districts and the Senate Finance Administration on the subject of increased security. It supports the request if individual schools see a need for this.
The inclusion of the Gaza war in curriculum discussions can help students navigate complex conflicts and controversial topics related to Education. However, the rise of Anti-Semitism incidents in schools due to the conflict has become a concern, requiring Schools to implement anti-Semitism prevention measures and seek external support.
Source: www.dpa.com
