The Commission of National Education
to characterize the circumstances how the Commission of National Education (KEN) was born in;
to characterize the education system subordinate to KEN;
to recognize the most important reformers of Polish education system in the second half of the 18th century;
to list the most important achievements of the Commission.
One of the most important achievements of the Partition Sejm was obtaining the consent to create the Commission of National Education. In character, it was an almost an independent “ministry”. The principle stating that post-JesuitJesuit goods should be passed into private hands, and that a part of the income they generated be donated to education, was adopted. The Commission managed to introduce a simple and well‑thought out structure of the schools subject to it – from the universities (of Cracow and Vilnius), through faculty, sub‑faculty and parish schools. In 1775, the Commission of National Education created the Society of Elementary Books. Its task was to compose teaching programs for state schools, and manuals for different levels and subjects of education. The two universities, or so‑called higher schools, in Cracow and Vilnius were reorganized.
Acquaint yourself with the power of pamphletspamphlets. Learn how the Jesuits’ “black legend” was born.
Make a comment on one of the recommendations the Commission had for the teachers of the time:
In general, professors of all disciplines should make sure that their students learn how to operate with their reason and understanding, more so than with their memory.
Match the statements with the arguments that confirm them.
Yes. In the context of the national tragedy, the reform of education was the most important way of saving the country. Even when the hated Permanent Council was abolished, the KEN existed until the end of the independent state’s existence. Furthermore, no other country in Europe could boast an educational system as boldly forward-thinking and solid as Poland., Yes. Piramowicz was active almost until the very end of the Polish independence. The Society’s great merit was the composition of state school teaching programs (for subject such as mechanics, agriculture, chemistry, botanics, zoology, law, and moral sciences), as well as the creation of numerous manuals., Yes. As the President of the KEN he committed financial fraud, and was among one of the Targowica Confederation founders after the 3 May 1791 constitution was adopted., Yes. Despite the academic circles’ resistance, the mathematical, natural and medical science departments were expanded, following the tendencies present during the Enlightenment.
| The creation of the Commission of National Education (KEN) during the same session of the Sejm that confirmed the First Partition of Poland was of extreme importance. As a virtually independent “ministry” (a departament of the Permanent Council), the KEN was of great importance for the state. | |
| The KEN created the Society for Elementary Books. Ignacy Potocki became its head, and Grzegorz Piramowicz, a former Jesuit, became its secretary. Together, they achieved great success. | |
| The Commission, created in order to manage the post-Jesuit assets, had 8 members. Among them was the Bishop of Vilnius, Ignacy Masalski, who, however, turned out to be untrustworthy. | |
| The reforms regarded two Commonwealth universities as well – in Cracow and in Vilnius. |
Keywords
Commission of National Education, pamphlet, Jesuits, apocrypha
Glossary
apokryf - utwór przypisywany nieżyjącemu lub wymyślonemu twórcy, często w celu wprowadzenia odbiorcy w błąd i nadania utworowi większej wartości
Jezuici – inaczej Towarzystwo Jezusowe (łac. Societas Iesu), katolicki męski zakon kleryków regularnych, założony 1534 przez świętego I. Loyolę w Paryżu
Komisja Edukacji Narodowej – pierwsza na ziemiach polskich i w Europie centralnej świecka władza oświatowa, powołana 1773 po rozwiązaniu zakonu jezuitów;
pamflet - utwór publicystyczny lub literacki ośmieszający i krytykujący określone osoby, grupy społeczne lub instytucje polityczne
Paszkwil - artykuł, utwór lub inna publiczna wypowiedź zniesławiająca kogoś, czasami także ubliżająca komuś.
Sekularyzacja – przejęcie kierownictwa nad szkołami przez władze świeckie Towarzystwo Ksiąg Elementarnych – organ Komisji Edukacji Narodowej, działający w latach 1773‑1792.