 HISTORICAL RETROSPECT

1. In 1945 i.e., at the end of the second World War, the German nation faced a crisis in every walk of life. It was, however, realised that the regeneration of German nation could be possible through wide and comprehensive work of education. The school reform was introduced immediately after the end of the war. These measures were given their legal basis in the "Law on the democratisation of German Schools" which was enacted in 1945. The Law stipulated that all children should receive the opportunity to attend all educational establishments including universities. It also stated that the educational system should be secular and unified and be a State responsibility. As a result of this, completely new curricula, new text-books were worked out and a basic school, for all children of ages be6 and 14, was created. This school formed the foundation of the whole educational system, the individual units of which were organically connected.

2. The G.D.R. First Five Year Plan for the development of the national economy, which was adopted in June 1950, called for a further rise in the general educational level. It visualised the establishment of 10-year schools. New curricula and text-books were again published in 1951 which considerably helped in raising the educational level of school children.

3. It was on 1st September, 1958 that a day of training in a socialist, industrial or agricultural enterprise was introduced in all the schools of the G.D.R. This, in other words, is the system of polytechnical education or work experience. The Social Law, passed by the People's Chamber in Decem-

ber, 1959 provided the legal basis for this day of training which was an important step to connecting school with life itself and the lessons with productive labour. The education of school-going children it the GDR thus received a new content and new perspective. School curricula were issued in 1959 for the day of instruction in socialist production. Manuals were published for the children. There were two basic courses-one for industry and the other for agriculture. In both cases, the 7th form took a basic course in metal-work, and the fundamentals of electrical engineering were included in both variants. Children, who otherwise received instruction in a factory, had to work on a farm for one year. Polytechnical instruction was systematised anew in 1963. By this time, the initial phase had been completed.

4. In January, 1963, one of the programmes adopted was for a unified educational system that guaranteed the education of highly trained experts by enacting the general, polytechnical and vocational training.

5. A State Commission composed of 67 scientists, teachers, representatives of both the national economy, and government bodies started drawing up a draft law in March, 1963. After one year and, two weeks had passed they were able, in April 1964, to present to the GDR Council of Ministers the "Draft Principles of the Integrated Socialist Educational System". The People's Chamber, after taking into consideration the views of the general public, newspapers, experts etc. finally passed the law on the integrated socialist education system on 25th February, 1965. The Law is a comprehensive document dealing with all levels of education and in different fields.

6. The main aim of the Integrated Socialist Educational System is to Overcome the split that exists between general and specialised education. The greatest value is placed

on general education, characterised by the teaching of the most important principles of sciences. This gives the necessary intellectual basis for mastering modern technological processes and for participation in the social development of the State. Particular attention is paid to mathematics, the natural sciences and polytechnical training, because the application of scientific knowledge from these fields in industry leads to rapid changes in the material and technological basis.

7. This method is assisted by virtue of the fact that all learning in all the establishments of the educational system, from the general school, the trade school, the further educational establishments for adults to the colleges and universities, is so coordinated that the change over from one stage of education to the next follows in complete harmony and does not lead to an organisational dead-end in the school. With the integrated system, the state guarantees all citizens of the GDR equal righs to education. The system is built up in such a manner that it is possible for every citizen to make his way from the lower to the next higher stage, right up to the highest educational establishments, the universities and colleges. The best and most talented are selected to attend the institutes of higher -education, according to their learning and also taking into consideration the social structure of the GDR.

8. The unified system of education is divided into:

-pre-school educational institutions,

-ten-form general polytechnical high schools,

-trade and vocational schools,

-educational establishments leading to university entrance exam. or extended general polytechnical secondary schools (Abitur),

-engineering and other vocational colleges,

-universities and colleges,

-adult educational establishments,

-special schools for children suffering from physical and mental handicaps.

A chart indicating the structure of the integrated educational system in the German Democratic Republic may be seen at Appendix II.

9. A ten-year period of general high school education is compulsory for all children who have reached their sixth birthday. This obligation is normally fulfilled with the award of the school- leaving certificate from a ten-form general polytechnical high school. In certain cases, however, school-leaving certificates may be awarded after attendance at vocational training schools or adult educational establishments.

10. All schooling is free of charge and, in cases where it is necessary, the State bears the cost of text-books, exercise books and other school materials. In such cases, educational grants are given. Full-time courses of study at universities, colleges and higher engineering and vocational training establishments are free of charge for all citizens of the Republic. Students, whose grading is 'good' or 'very good' or whose social situation necessitates it, are given study grants ranging from 110 to 450 marks a month.