Schools to get cash for WWI battlefield trips

EVERY secondary school in Scotland is to be offered financial help to take pupils on educational visits to key battlefields of the First World War as part of the Scottish Government’s plans to commemorate the centenary of the Great War.

First Minister Alex Salmond unveiled the funding earlier today. Picture: Greg Macvean

The £1 million initiative was announced today by First Minister Alex Salmond during a visit to Turriff Academy in Aberdeenshire.

Under the scheme a £2,000 grant will be made available to every senior school in the country to help them meet the costs of trips to Western Front battlefields and war graves so pupils can learn more about the sacrifice made by Scottish servicemen during the global conflict.

Mr Salmond said: “The sacrifice made by the many thousands of Scots and those fighting for Scottish battalions during the First World War must never be forgotten, and it is absolutely crucial that we take the opportunity presented by the centenary to help young people develop a deeper understanding of the causes, consequences and horrors of war and the devastation wrought by the conflict on communities in all corners of the country.

“Many of the soldiers who were sent to war in 1914 were not much older than school age and educational trips to see WWI battlefields provide an unforgettable experience for our young people, giving them a powerful insight into the trench warfare endured by millions on the Western Front.”

He added: “Many schools already run educational trips to the European battlefields, but this additional £1 million in funding will ensure that every secondary school in Scotland is offered financial help to take pupils and teachers to Europe during the centenary of the War, broadening the pupils’ knowledge of the conflict and ensuring that a new generation of Scots never forgets the unimaginable price paid by their forbears a century ago.”

The Rev Norman Drummond, chairman of the Scottish Commemorations Panel, set up by the Scottish Government, welcomed the funding announcement.

He said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government will be funding battlefield visits for our secondary schools.

“It is vital that we create an educational legacy as part of Scotland’s commemorative programme and these visits will enable our pupils and teachers to experience at first-hand the significant service and sacrifice given by so many Scottish servicemen and women throughout World War One.”

Denise Dunlop, President of the Scottish Association of Teachers of History, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that I hope all of Scotland’s secondary schools will welcome. Battlefield visits are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for school pupils to learn first-hand about war and its horrible consequences.

“Many of these conflicts are glamourised in today’s society, and these trips offer a chance for young people to learn the truth about what happened to so many thousands of soldiers – many of whom were not much older than school age.”

A Scottish Government spokesman explained: “The £1 million fund, which will be administered by Historic Scotland, will include additional subsidies for groups travelling to the continent from schools not on the Scottish mainland. The educational grant scheme will span the six school years from 2013.”