Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw was delighted to host the third annual awards ceremony for the University of the West of Scotland's Vision Schools Scotland, Holocaust Education programme.
The university's collaborative initiative with the Holocaust Education Trust seeks to formally accredit schools who have demonstrated excellence in the teaching of the Holocaust.
The latest awards ceremony was initially due to be held at the Scottish Parliament in November 2020 but was postponed in response to the restrictions that have been introduced to combat Covid-19 and re-scheduled as a virtual event on Thursday 11th February 2021.
Television Personality and Criminal Barrister, Robert Rinder, who hosted the two-part BBC documentary "My Family, The Holocaust and Me" was the special guest at the event.
Mr Rinder gave a moving and personal presentation at the awards ceremony and then took questions on the Holocaust from the school pupils who had received the accreditation.
Five schools were recognised at the ceremony for their strong performance in the teaching of the Holocaust with four schools, including Eastwood's Mearns Castle High receiving the level 1 award and Barrhead High being accredited at level 2.
Nineteen schools across Scotland have now been accredited as a Vision School as the initiative goes from strength to strength and with the aim of securing participation in the programme from at least one school in all 32 local authorities.
Another Eastwood school in Calderwood Lodge received the level 1 award in November 2018 and Mr Carlaw is encouraging other local schools to get involved with the endeavour.
Information on how schools can apply for the commendation and the criteria that will need to be met in order to receive either the level 1 or 2 award can be accessed by clicking on the following link - https://www.uws.ac.uk/research/research-impact-influence/holocaust-education-vision-schools-scotland/.
Jackson Carlaw MSP for Eastwood said:
"I am very proud to be a patron of Vision Schools Scotland and it was a huge privilege for me to host the third awards ceremony in a row.
"Eastwood is home to almost half of Scotland's Jewish population and I am acutely aware of just how essential it is that the horrors of the Holocaust are never forgotten with a duty on us all to pass on its lessons to future generations.
"With it's focus on responsible citizenship and encouraging sustainability in approach to the teaching of the Holocaust, Vision Schools Scotland is embedding itself as a key contributor to young people's learning of this crucial subject and it is continuing to grow each year.
"The event is always extra special for me when an Eastwood school receives the accreditation and I congratulate pupils at Mearns Castle High on achieving the level 1 award.
"Mearns Castle High joins Calderwood Lodge as the two Eastwood schools who have achieved Vision School Status. I encourage other local schools to apply for this important award and be formally recognised for excellence in Holocaust Education."
Notes To Editors:
A recording of the event is available on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYtr21UF8r0.