Mandate continuous professional development for history educators, advocates historical scholarship community
Germany's History Teachers Lack Mandatory Training, Says Historian
Lutz Raphael, the head of the Association of Historians in Germany (VHD), has expressed concern over the lack of mandatory training for history teachers in the country. In an interview with the "New Osnabruecker Zeitung" (Sunday edition), Raphael criticized the current system and called for changes to address the gaps in historical knowledge among young people.
Raphael pointed out that history lessons are an essential part of civic education, yet they are often taught by non-subject teachers or in combination with other subjects. He believes that this practice contributes to the lack of historical knowledge, particularly regarding topics like the Nazi era and the Holocaust.
According to a recent survey, only two out of three respondents knew the name Auschwitz, and twelve percent had never heard of the term Holocaust. Furthermore, approximately 40% of 18-29 year-olds in Germany do not know the number of Jews killed in the Nazi era. These statistics highlight the need for more intense civic education, Raphael argued.
Raphael compared the lack of mandatory training for history teachers to the requirement for further qualifications in professions like medicine and psychology. He suggested that a requirement for further training could be introduced for history teachers to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest research and teaching methods.
Moreover, Raphael believes that current subject teachers who teach history must also be further qualified. He called for history to be offered continuously and by subject teachers, rather than being taught sporadically by non-specialists.
Raphael warns of weaknesses in the current structure of history teaching, which will eventually show. He believes that the increasing spread of fake news emphasizes the need for more rigorous training for history teachers to help combat misinformation and promote accurate historical understanding.
In Germany, the responsibility for organizing mandatory continuing education programs for history teachers primarily lies with the individual federal states (Länder), specifically their Ministries of Education or equivalent authorities, rather than a single nationwide institution. Raphael's call for mandatory training for history teachers was made in response to this gap in the system.
As the head of the Association of Historians in Germany, Raphael is well-positioned to advocate for change in the country's education system. His comments about the lack of mandatory training for history teachers were made in the hope of improving historical education and promoting a more informed and engaged citizenry.
