Teachers in the Municipality of Kungalv
The Holocaust and Basic Social Values
In 1995, a young pupil was murdered by young neo-Nazis in Kungälv, southwest Sweden. Municipal education staff realized that a protracted and complex task faced them. Instead of opting to start campaigns and manifestations, they immediately began working to strengthen school staff's knowledge and commitment, regarding Nazism, racism and xenophobia.
Now, nearly five years later, effective channels are in place for teachers to obtain inservice training and compare notes on these issues.
For the past three years, the Holocaust has been the startingpoint for the inservice training, It has served as a framework for discussion in which the teachers are obliged, on the basis of historical facts, to confront issues of personal responsibility, duty and morality, and especially racism and prejudices against ethnic and other groups. Along with skills in methodology and didactics, the teachers develop ways of getting their pupils to learn from the Holocaust.
The Kungalv Model
- Teachers' in-service training on the theme of "the Holocaust and basic social values."
- Use of the Holocaust as a historical framework for discussing present-day issues.
- Theoretical knowledge of the Holocaust, ethics and social development, combined with practical know-how and methodology.
- Scope for teachers to obtain supervision after attending the course.
- Study visit to Poland included in the course.
Scale of the Course
The course takes one academic year, and teachers can be credited with the entire course as part of their in-service period. The content of the course corresponds to six months' full-time studies. Each year, study places for 25 teachers are available.
Organization
The course was devised by the municipality of Kungälv, Living History and Göteborg University jointly. It rests on scientific foundations and well-tested educational experience. The teaching is largely funded by the municipality itself, with the support of the National Agency for Education.
Contact Information
Municipality of Kungalv:
Gunnel Ferm, Phone: +46-303-99223
E-mail: gunnel.ferm@kommun.kungaiv.se.
Course Coordinator:
Christer Mattsson, Phone: +46-31773-2062
E-Mail: Christer.Mattsson@ped.gu.se.