The number of secondary schools commemorating the Holocaust in the United Kingdom has dropped sharply in recent years, with participation halving since the attacks on October 7. While over 2,000 schools marked Holocaust Memorial Day in 2023, only 854 took part last year, and even fewer are expected in 2025. This decline has raised concerns among community leaders, including the Chief Rabbi, who warns that avoiding Holocaust remembrance risks undermining the integrity of historical education for future generations.

The drop in participation comes amid heightened tensions and activism related to the conflict in Israel and Palestine, with some schools facing protests and cancellations of events involving Jewish public figures. The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust continues to encourage schools to engage with the annual commemoration, emphasizing its importance as an act of human memory rather than a political statement. Recent incidents, such as the cancellation of a Jewish MP's school visit due to activist pressure, highlight the challenges faced by educators and communities in maintaining Holocaust remembrance in a polarized environment.