Education/The youth

Education/The youth

1. Free German Youth

   • Founded in 1946 and subsequently taken under the control of the SED
   • As of 1984 FDJ membership = 2.3 million
   • Membership was voluntary but it was crucial for anyone to advance politically/professionally
   • Organisation had almost total control on recreational facilities, resort areas and entertainment - ensured high membership.
   • FDJ - handled university entrance exams and scholarship programmes
   • 83% of all youth in the eligible age range - 14-25
   • 'The free German Youth is a community of young people who come together with all youth at work, study, sports, music and dance.'
   • 'The members of the Free German Youth regard it as their honour and duty to defend, selflessly and full of sacrifice, peace, their socialist home land...'

2. Young Pioneers

   • The Enst Thalmann Pioneer Organisation - known as Junge Pioniere
   • auxiliary of FDJ
   • In 1980s - membership in JP started at age 6 and continued until 14.
   • In 1985 - JP had approx 1.3 million members - 85% of all eligible children
   • The regime used the JP to reinforce the political values and social behaviour taught in schools.
   • Groups led by teachers and JP leaders (usually FDJ members)
   • Resembled a scout association but with a twist - songs round the campfire - militaristic and stories featured socialist heroes defining the self defined peace-loving state from the big bad west.
   • Almost every child was part of the pioneers - Grade 1-4 blue pioneers, 5-7 ted pioneers and grade 8-10 graduated to FDJ
   • Every 7th October - the pioneers would join in the parade commemorating the birth of the GDR
   • Pioneer activities served as the first preparation for children to become 'good socialists'
   • JP - effective, but controlled source of peer pressure.

3. The School structure

   • Kindergarten - children aged 3-6
     • focused on health and physical fitness, developement of socialist values and teaching of rudimentary skills
     • 1985 - 13,148 pre schools providing care for 788,095 of children (91% of all children eligible to attend)
   • Compulsory 10 year polytechnical education - 6-16
     • Primary stage - grade 1-3 - taught basic skills of reading, writing, maths. Provided them with 'first knowledge and understanding of nature, work and socialist society
       • Polytechnical aspect - gardening and crafts - basic appreciation of technology, worker and the economy.
     • Intermediate state - grade 4-6 - introduction of the study of Russian, social sciences, german history
       • The political-ideological content of curriculum = increasingly important - emphasised connection between education and work and the development of socialist personality - especially towards work.
     • Final stage - 7-10 - introduced courses in technical drawing, socialist production and productive work.
       • Spent one day a week in practical training working long side employees at factory or agricultural cooperative.
     • In 1985, there were 5,864 general polytechnical schools with a total student population of 2.1 million
   • Post polytechnical education - either vocational training leading to entry in the workforce or extended general education - university
     • In 1985, 86% of those who completed the 10 year course - began vocational training.
     • University - applicants were judged primarly on their scholastic achievement and their political attitudes.
       • 1985 - EG had 54 universities and colleges - total enrolment 129,628 students
         • 239 technical institutes with a total student population of 162,628
     • Gisela Nicolaisen - university was oppressive
     • 'From the start we were put into groups with the same timetable and went as a group from one seminar to another. After a while, this gorup became known as a socialist collective. That meant you didn't just study together but went to theatre together and went on trips together at the weekend. It was a control measure- they didn't want you to have a private life.