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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Teachers comment about 'concentration camp' (secondary school)

275 replies

JacobsAngel · 19/01/2018 23:34

A teacher at my child's school, known for their passive aggressive attitude (and boring lessons-relevant) made a comment to the class and said " you're not in a concentration camp" aibu to think this is inappropriate?

Apparently the class were unenthusiastic and unresponsive (and probably bored) to the way the lesson was being delivered so the teacher tried to, well not quite sure what they were trying to get the class to do by saying what they did as all they got back were confused looks and whispers.

My child wasn't the only one to say, after the class had dispersed, they felt it an inappropriate comment.

Ironically the class have been studying the Holocaust in a different subject class so are well aware of what a concentration camp was, hence the startled looks from some of the children and hushed comments.

Should something be said to the school or view it as a faux pas by a teacher who really should engage their brain before they open their mouth?

OP posts:
echt · 20/01/2018 03:06

I've not made any case of about trivialising it, though I do think there are inappropriate levels of outrage about language use, as I've made plain in earlier posts.

Alessandrocopper · 20/01/2018 03:29

THAT parent

coconuttella · 20/01/2018 06:58

Love to know how "I'm not your slave" was potentially offensive.

Was thinking exactly the same...

Some people seem determined to find offence.

ForalltheSaints · 20/01/2018 07:05

I think the comment was wrong to make. If the school has a teacher who is so uninspiring that they feel the need to make such a comment, then regardless of who is upset or even if no-one is, there is an issue. Are the school not providing support to the teacher if they are struggling?

So worth speaking to the school even if only on that basis.

Wormysquirmy · 20/01/2018 07:10

I feel sorry for teachers.

That is all.

coconuttella · 20/01/2018 07:14

the lesson was science so no idea what the teacher's views on the Holocaust are, throwing the comment in there like that probably means they don't really have a view on it

WTAF?!?!

So based on this teacher using the term “concentration camp” to make a point to his class, you are genuinely inferring that he probably has no particular opinion over the rights and wrongs of the Holocaust, and thinks “the gassing of millions of Jews? Meh, not my thing if the Nazis wanted to do that who am I to judge”.... Are you for real? (Or are you thinking that because I wrote that I probably actually think you are not real and a figment of my imagination).

Rebeccaslicker · 20/01/2018 07:18

Wow. A serious contender for "most professionally offended" of the year - and it's only mid January!

coconuttella · 20/01/2018 07:25

By the same token, i said to my daughter yesterday “I’m not your slave” after she expected me to tidy her room.... because, you know, I’m not her slave and she needed to know that!

According to the OP’s bizarre and twisted logic, apparently I’ve not just disrespected all slaves in history but have no particular opinion on slavery, and it follows that I think “well, if Europeans wanted to enslave millions of Africans and ship them off to the Americas then who’s to say if that’s right or wrong. I frankly have no opinion on the matter and couldn’t care less”. Hmm

falang · 20/01/2018 07:28

No you shouldn't complain. It doesn't matter.

StripySocksAndDocs · 20/01/2018 07:33

What did the teacher say it in response to?

If it was because a one of the students was lamenting about how torturous it was having to be there. Or how awful life was for him having to be in school. Or some similar hyperbole filled complaint. Then don't see what wrong with telling them that they haven't exactly got it hard. That being bored isn't tantamount to loss of basic rights.

If it was said to a silent class then yes she probably should have gone for a less server comparison

LadyIsabellaWrotham · 20/01/2018 07:34

The systematic slaughter that we think of as typifying the Nazi Holocaust wasn’t carried out in concentration camps - it was carried out in extermination camps. A lot of people died and were treated appallingly in German concentration camps in WWII but they weren’t built for industrialised murder. I suspect the shocked students had skipped that distinction in history lessons.

DinkyDaisy · 20/01/2018 07:34

I wouldn't complain but would feel inappropriate in an internal wince sort of way. Might just feel more aware of that teacher.
A really upset pupil could bring up at school themselves if secondary level....

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 20/01/2018 07:34

Hang on - how on earth is “I’m not your slave” offensive?

If my HoD tried to have a chat with me for saying that, I’d assume he was taking the piss.

Good God, I’m amazed there are any teachers left at all if this is what poeple are getting offended about these days.

KayaG · 20/01/2018 07:37

Adding to the chorus of YABVU. So glad I'm retired now. Nitpicking parents are tedious and annoying.

DoinItForTheKids · 20/01/2018 07:38

You see, this is interesting how OP and children in the classroom are being made out to be pearl clutching overly sensitive idiots - OP is simply responding to what a child told her, she's not launched a national campaign in the media here - it's just some thoughts about the comment, that's all.

Does it warrant being reported to school. It does, really. But is it worth doing? Probably not, probably a total waste of time, but a good learning point for anyone's child who noticed that it was an inappropriate comment.

Let's transfer this scenario to an adult arena. If you were at work and made a comment like that within earshot of several colleagues, there's every chance one of your colleagues might reasonably take offence at which point they would have every right to raise a Dignity at Work grievance against you and you would actually face the possibility of disciplinary action thus finding themselves in hot water. Comments like that at work are treated with a very dim view.

Our children at school are supposed to be being prepared for adult life. I completely agree with no need for pearl clutching or children being encouraged to be 'snowflakes', but the comment the teacher made WAS inappropriate. I can't see how that aspect can be in dispute.

Is it the total end of the world? No. It could just be covered off in a conversation with the child who mentioned it? Yes. Personally if one of my kids reported that comment to me, I'd be pleased they recognised that it was a completely inappropriate comment to have made. But I wouldn't encourage them to go into a meltdown or feel they had a need to sit rocking in the corner over it, I'd probably go along the lines of "it shows what an idiot that person is, some people are just idiots" and leave it at that. I'd probably mention that if they said something like that when they're at work in the future, they'd be liable to someone complaining formally so always watch what you say in this uber politically correct world.

If this teacher who sounds crap has been and remains in post the school clearly wouldn't be interested in the comment (rightly or wrongly) - that would appear to be the least of the teacher's problems!

newdaylight · 20/01/2018 07:39

This thread:
Op: AIBU?
Everyone: yes
Op: you couldn't be more wrong
Almost Everyone: even more yes
Op: is a shame forums don't work anymore. Ciao. Lol.

Hmm
Piggywaspushed · 20/01/2018 07:42

I have to thank MN for the ever growing list of things I am 'not allowed or advised to say in lessons'

They may well end up being silent lessons.

Am guessing the commonly used phrase ' what did your last slave die of?' is not allowed . Note to self.

I shall also never shout, (the students frequently point out that this is not OK it seems), never be 'sexist', never use sarcasm, never ignore a child, or seta them inappropriately , never roll my eyes, never say' no you can't go to the toilet' and never make anyone take a coat or hoody off. I shall also never teach anything potentially 'triggering' without consulting everyone first.

Meanwhile I shall endure the daily crap that gets thrown at me. Ah, the evergrowing list of what constitutes unprofessional!

Seriously, this sounds like a teacher the students dislike, so spend every opportunity reporting what s/he did today and stirring up unrest.

This sounds like secondary so if they were so offended they (or one of them) should have spoken to the teacher after the lesson. Or gone to a poor, long suffering HOY, who probably would have had to have had a word.

mamamalt · 20/01/2018 07:48

Well I am confused. What would the thread do if it was ‘working’..?! What did OP expect to happen?! Hmmmagical gold star to appear congratulating you on being totally over invested in comments your child’s teacher made?!

This is also the third thread like this in as many days I feel and as a teacher it’s horrible to read. But then great to read all the replies! Wink keeping it real MN! ✌🏼

olliegarchy99 · 20/01/2018 07:49

doinit - are you being serious?

Dignity at Work grievance - had to google that to see if it is a thing.
Yes it is - Shock

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 20/01/2018 07:52

Piggywaspushed - so wish there was a “Like” button for your post.

The world is full of the professionally offended and they are schooling the next generation well.

In my sixth form classes, whilst studying literature, we discuss so, so many topics and explore so many aspects of them. Thank God that the safe space trigger warning no platforming world hasn’t made its way to my door yet and my students continue to be challenged to discuss, debate, argue, think...While they still can, it seems.

insancerre · 20/01/2018 07:54

I don't see anything wrong with what the teacher said
The Japanese had concentration camps too
Where they worked people to death
Which is probably what the teacher meant

DoinItForTheKids · 20/01/2018 07:54

Sadly olliegarchy yes, these policies exist at work and, ultimately, have the power to see you out of your job. I agree with them although they too can go over the top in what offends people at times but yup, they're a thing and you have to be really really careful what you say at work these days, especially in an open office setup!

HarrietSmith · 20/01/2018 07:55

Could I suggest you take a few minutes to look at this link about the childen of Theresienstadt? www.jewishmuseum.cz/en/explore/permanent-collection/children-s-drawings-from-the-terezin-ghetto-1942-1944/

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 20/01/2018 07:58

I have looked at that link. It’s very moving, but I’m not sure what your point is in relation to this thread?

Piggywaspushed · 20/01/2018 08:01

You see, I am definitely one to always challenge casual sexism, racism and so on (depending on context, jokily or very seriously) but it seems even I wouldn't get through the MN filter.

I have found A Level English harder to teach over the last five years or so because I feel I can be walking on eggshells : Plath. the end of God Of Small Things, Duffy, Streetcar - you name it. What one students happily discussed, some of them now just shut down.

When I read the OP's title, I assumed the teacher had said something either inaccurate or grossly offensive in the realm of holocaust denial, or that they had said a thin child looked like a Belsen victim, or some such. But they didn't. So, I am inferring that one is not allowed to reference concentration camps in a non factual, historical context.
Would I have said this to a class which were whining? It's actually possibly I would ( I definitely have said ' this is hardly Stalag Luft') to highlight that their whines are entitled and their lives pretty easy. It's classic teacher put down. But then we must never put anyone down.

And re the work thing : I have heard many teachers say they feel like we are in a labour camp, or call the head The Kommandant. I think we have all recognised the intended humour.

I genuinely have crossed it off a list though! Just in case!