Nauczycielstwo krakowskie wobec zmian w oświacie (1944-1948)

Abstract

Still before the end of World War II, at the District School Office in Kraków, drafts of educational reforms were being prepared. The most important ones were the studies by Karol Ziarno and Włodzimierz Gałecki, which subsequently were attempted to be applied in the first months of 1945 at the Kraków school board. However, an impulse to the discussion of changes in education was provided by teachers’ conferences, where the idea of the new school was supported. The teachers connected with the Polish People’s Party (PSL) presented a slightly separate position. In the people’s periodical Piast, Ignacy Jakubiec warned against a hasty educational revolution. Another important place where the reform ideas were discussed was the Union of Polish Teachers (ZNP). The strong position of the Chief Board of ZNP left little space for the local unionists to act. While presenting opinions of the changes in the education, it is impossible to ignore the question of secularization of school life. The ideological dispute was conducted between the Church and the educational authorities, although opinions of other party and social circles were not precluded. Józef Pieter in his articles wrote about forming new educational attitudes, whereas PSL was against elimination of religion from school education. It was attempted to change the indifferent, or actually hostile attitude among teachers towards the reforms in education by means of party enrolment, and all kinds of courses assisting the political work. Those actions, although very sophisticated, were not quite effective. In Kraków, radical attitudes were presented which resulted in numerous arrests. The government of the Republic of Poland in exile in London also had its followers.