Schools: World War II Anniversary

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Thursday 30th January 2025 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Evans of Rainow]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to involve schools in the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Question. We owe our freedom to those who fought in World War II. The 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day will be marked with a series of events paying tribute to the millions of people across the UK and the Commonwealth who experienced the war, from the front line to the home front and beyond. It is vital that children understand the important roles played by their forebears. Resources and educational material are being developed for schools to help young people learn about the Second World War, and children and young people will be involved in a range of commemorative events.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

I thank the Minister for that excellent Answer. She will know well that her government department did an excellent job of commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War, as noble Lords will remember, between 2014 and 2018. With that in mind, given that it is the 80th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War, what plans does her department have to engage with all schoolchildren, but particularly those in state schools, to make sure that they interact with surviving veterans in their communities before it is too late?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I agree wholeheartedly with the noble Lord that the 100-year commemoration of the First World War was indeed powerful. Whether through activities in schools, conversations in the home with older relatives or the work of some of our fabulous museums, such as the Imperial War Museum, I wholeheartedly agree with him that living history is a hugely powerful way for children to gain an understanding of the past. Sadly, we will soon be at the point where we will not have the voices of people who experienced the Second World War, whether as veterans or as children. I am very clear that that should be incorporated into how schools, and we more broadly, mark these important 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day.