POLYTECHNICAL EDUCATION OR WORK EXPERIENCE IN EXTENDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS
31. General Polytechnical Secondary Schools are of ten years duration and, as stated earlier, it is compulsory for every boy and girl to attend the general polytechnical secondary school. Some children do not leave school after the 10th form but go on to attend the extended secondary school. They graduate by taking the Abitur which is the German equivalent to the British GEC 'A' level examination. This examination entitles students to apply for admission to a university. The extended polytechnical secondary schools have forms XI and XII as well. A high priority is attached to training of the students gradually for higher educational institutions through exercises and seminars, periods of practical work, private study and concentration so that they do not feel much difficulty in graduating to college life.
32. The number of schools, classes and enrolment in these extended polytechnical schools for the years 1955, 1961 and 1967 is shown in Table 3 :-
TABLE 3 Extended Polytechnical Schools-Number, Classes and
Enrolment.
Years
1955 1961 1967
Schools 420 321 305
Classes 4,265 3,205 3,787
Enrolment 1,07,400 80,674 1,00,738
Very limited number of 10-year general polytechnical secondary schools are upgraded to extended polytechnical secondary schools because of accent on quality and maintenance of standards. The enrolment in such institutions is, however, increasing.
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33. Weekly distribution of periods between various subjects in forms XI and XII is given in the following Table 4 :
TABLE 4 : Weekly Distribution of Periods between various Subjects in
Different Classes of Extended Secondary Schools.
Sl. Subjects Form XI Form XII
No.
1 2 3 4
1. German 3 3
2. Russian 3 3
3. Mathematics 5 5
4. Physics 3 3
5. Astronomy - 1
6. Chemistry 2 3
7. Biology 2 3
8. Geography 2 -
9. Polytechnical training classes 7-10
(a) Introduction into socialist
production 4* 4*
(b) Technical Drawing 1+ 1+
(c) Productive Work 3 1
10. History 3
11. Civics 1 2
12. Physical Train 2 2
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*Scientific-practical work.
+Drawing or Music.
NOTE : 1 lesson hour-45 minutes.
It will be seen that, in the final year there is great emphasis on natural sciences and on scientific-practical work. About 80% of the time is allocated to subjects relating to these fields.
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34. In Forms XI and XII, the pupils of extended secondary schools complement their general education upto university standard and, at the same time, receive 'vocational training'. But they are not trained as machinists, turners, building-machine operators or skilled chemical workers. The so-called 'vocational training' at the extended secondary schools is shaped with the graduates' subsequent university studies in mind. It is to complement their basic education in general technology and serve their professional activities after they have completed their studies. In scientific-technical circles, work groups and other groups, the pupils solve problems of enterprises from the schedules drawn up for mastering the new technology. In these activities, the pupils can pursue their interests and their academic intentions. They utilize their knowledge in mathematics, the natural sciences and in the polytechnical disciplines (e.g., mechanical engineering, electrical engineering etc.) in order to help solve, for example, tasks or carry out projects of the enterprises in which they work in special fields of measuring, controlling and regulating. They are occupied with problems emerging in the application of cybernetics. They solve tasks of agro-chemistry to improve the fertility of the soil of an agricultural production cooperative. Thus, the tasks put to pupils of extended secondary schools in their scientific-technical circles and work groups are of a many-sided nature.
35. The graduate of the extended secondary school is expected to study at a university or college. At a university or college, he is to prepare himself for a leading position in the national economy, in science, or in the sphere of production. By the combination of school instruction and this form of vocational training he is prepared for his studies both theoretically and practically.
36. Facilities are also available in the vocational schools
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where apprentices can take the Abitur in addition to learning their trade. Furthermore, graduates of engineering and technical schools are also entitled to study at a university. There is yet another possibility open to workers who have not got their Abitur; they can attend classes at either evening school or the so-called enterprise academies and then take this examination.
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