COMMENTS ON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS, CONDITIONS IN SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES AND CORRECTION OF TEXTBOOKS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00926A004500010021-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 28, 2013
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: December 28, 1951
• Content Type: REPORT

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COUNTRY
SUBJECT
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
CLASSIFICATION 'CONFIDENTIAL/US OFFICIALS ONLY/SEC
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT
INFORMATION REPORT
Poland
vormv TWWIRMAMTAV
CD NO.
DATE DISTR. AgiDec 1951
Comments on Intermediate Schools, Conditions in NO. OF PAGES 6
Schools and Universities and Correction of Textbooks
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
50X1-HUM
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT SO
U. S. C., 91 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION
OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PRO-
HIBITED BY LAW REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
1. "There is a great shortage of textbooks in grade schools. Pre-war
textbooks are not generally used or used only by the instructor and
in secret. Of the newly published textbooks there are four, to five
for every 30 students. Material on the Polish language is provided
only in the eighth and ninth grade, and this consists of a collection
of propaganda passages such as extracts from the writings of Marchlewskil
Stalin, Bierut, and verses which speak of the hard lot of the worker and
peasant before the war and praise the present conditions of this social
group. The literary level is exceptionally low. Great Polish poets
like Mickiewicz or Slawacki are presented as heroes of the current
democracy, and a completely warped concept of their ideology is being
imposed upon the youth of the country. Every poet and novelist is
evaluated solely from the point of view of his realization of his
'usefulness to the community.' Other problems are not touched, and
the artistic aspect is of no significance. Youth is taught Polish
history from a textbook by a Soviet scholar called Iefimov, who, among
other things, claims that Sovorov was a great friend of Poland and
Dzierzynski a benefactor of the people and a national hero.
2. "SCHOOL AND TEACHER RELATIONS
"The youth has a desire to learn, but the majority are cognizant of
the fact that they are being deceived. Despite membership in the
ZMP (Zwiazek Mlodziezy Polski? Union of Polish Youth) 90 percent of
the youth are inimically disposed to the USSR. Friendly relations
between teacher and pupil cease as soon as pupils become convinced
that their teacher in a Communist enthusiast. Very often party
membership alone is sufficient to alienate the youth. On the other
hand, five percent literally lie in wait for some ideological slip by
the teacher to denounce him. For example, a girl student, W. Sch.,
of the Praga Gymnasium and Lyceum for Women, 12 Kaweczynska Street,
Warsaw, who is October of 1950 informed on a female professor of the
Polish language, Mary R. (MA) accusing her of 'faulty and erroneous
exposition of literary facts savoring of rotten bourgeois thought and
the odious Sanacja.' Students of this type denounce companions who
say anything against the ruling regime in Poland or give any indication
of dissatisfaction. The remaining five percent of the youth is a passive
and undecided element readily favoring either the side of the so-called
'reactionaries' or 'progressives.'
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3. 1410 CAN ENROLL INTHE SCHOOLS
In theery everyone can enroll, and everyone
If there is a sufficient number of openings
according to their knowledge, but, if there
more usual situation), then the children of
(a) active party members
(b) shock workers
(c) laborers'
(d) peasants,
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Is allowed to take the entrance examinations,
in a given schocl, students are classified
is,a shortage of openings (and this is the
the following are accepted;
"A etude t often comes up for an examination with a letter of recaMmendation from the
ard whIch state that the student must be accepted.- (For example, in September Of
1950 a daught r
-Since she
sing grade
amination and
ctimit-was
f a certain active Communist, Mr0-1CO3 appeared with such a lettere 50X1 HUM
rally nothing in the Polish language, she failed to receive a pas
and was not accepted, A week later she appeared again for the ex-50X1-HUM
he sitiiatonwasreneated, She returned for the third time but this 50X1-HUM
examined by the Drinsaimal AIL alno ft-tf.aphwr nf PnliAh and
she passed the examination,
4. "W) MAY RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
"Young people beloiiJ.ng to Zte and active in so-called "public, work, that is, work
which pr pagates Soviet ideology? are eligible. Besides this, some member of the
family must make himself known for "additional" work. The children of peasants having
small farms are definitely favored, Progress in school is not taken into consideration,
IYDEORKE TO WHICH COMMUNISTS HAVE VON OVER THE YOUTH AND METHODS
"Youth cooperating with the Communists obtain maey benefits, such as free trips to
camps and resort free athletic eqpipment, remuneration for propaganda speeches, books,
tickets for artistic and sport exhibitions and assurance of entrance to higher studies,
Young people are susceptible to these encouragements, at least in appearance, The pos-
sibility of attaining higher education attracts them the most, and so, starting with
t. tenth grade, they generally become active members of youth organizations, The
real sentime t of euth? however, can be felt in its aversion to everything Soviet
in its hate of the so-called school "leaders," Ideologically, not more than five
perce t of the youth has been von over in the intermediate schools.
6?,"THE DEGREE OF SOVIET PENETRATION IN Ent CULTURAL SPHERE
"Contemporary Polish culture is completely under the domination of Communist influences in
every sphere. This is most evident in the country's radio programs. The music is pre-
dominantly Soviet, ].It as well as classical; Soviet poets and writers are quoted. to the
point of boredom; talks are on the attainment of Soviet education and the heroism of the
Red army, etc, Exhibitions of Soviet art and of the cultural ties; between Russia and
Poland (like the Mickiewicz-Pushkin exhibition) are arranged, Soviet influence is seen
in literature and music, The theme of poetii, for example, must be closely related to
the problems of Polish and S viet life, Verses not touchlng upon so-called social
themes or not reviling the policy of the West ars not accepted for printing, . The
yuti.. i being convinced that the greatest scholars and artists f the world were and
are Russians; that the Russians discovered the radio before Marconi. If for some
reason the names of some artists or educators of other nations must he gives they are
feishioned into warriors for Socialism, Such were; in their inteepretation, Beethoven,
Chopin, Bach, and Rembrandt, The most fashionable contemporary poet of the East is
Wlodzimierz Majakowsky whose mitylePolish "poets' txra copying, ?Films and theatrical
productions are 90 percent Soviet, (Reduced price theatre tickets are given to the
youth for Soviet presentations only.) The atm of all asviet and Polish works of art
is to raise the prestige of the Soviet Union in every sphere of life and to ridicule
and point out the evils of the conditions in Poland before 1939 and the exploitation
and moral decay.of the West,
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? 7o7O.la
7."THE TECHNICAL SIDE OF EDUCATION
"There is a trend toward creating 11-year schools and eliminating the
distinction between elementary and secondary school. However, because
of the lack of space there are only a few lloyear schools in the Warsaw
region. Generally, one finds 7-year elementary schools and 4-year se-
condary schools comprising grades 8,9,10 and 110 During the school year
of 1949/50 lyceum classes (10 and 11) were still divided into two types,
humanistic and agatmtiaWrohysicalo each awarding its own diploma. A
diploma in the homnities required written tests in Polish, a foreign language,
hi tory, and a course on Contemporary Poland? The mathematical-physical di-
ploma r quired written tests in Polish and mathematics, and oral examinations
in Polish, mathematics, physics, history and Contemporary Polouodo Since the
academic year 1950/51, there is only one kind of diploma, requiring written
emsminatima in Polish and mathematics, and oral examination e in Polish,
mathematics, physics, bi tory, and Contemporary Poland. New subjects in-
tr uced were Contemporary Poland, the Study f Society, and Service to
Poland. Contemporary P land corresponds more or less to the pre-war course
on problems of social life with the difference that now it is approached
from the viewpoint of Soviet propaganda o The Study of Society is concerned
with the criticism of the organizati.n of Western nations and Poland before 1939.
19
50X1-HUM
Service to Poland is treated on a par with other subjects and is givenfodr hours a
week. Current events are discussed during the first two hours,, and miritary
exercises are given during,the next twoohourso The total number of hours in.
these socialising subjects in the lath and 11th grades is 139 and in the
ver grades nine. The emphasis on these courses is very great, especially at
graduation time. Toward the end of the school year commissions are formed
made up of the principal, instructors of the 11th grade, and representatives
of 11th grade students, who evaluate every candidate for the diplomas as to
his aptitude. This evaluation is then sent to higher educational institu-
tions. The commission examinee every student not from the aspect of his
ability but his social origin and social and political activity. A 50X1-HUM
with an unfavorable social and political evaluation is invariably refused
admissi n to any higher inst learning, although he may take entrance
examinations? (For example capable student from the Gymnasium and
Lyceum on 194 Grochowska Stree 9 0 s.? was not accepted because of his
membership in the Marian Sodality.) After graduation, an average of three
certificates per school are awarded for social work and studies which make
entrance into higher studies possible witir.ut an examination. In practice,
studies are not taken into consideration, only social activity.
"Twice a month within the framework of Service to Poland, the students work on
the re onstruction of Warsaw, public parks, or dig potatoes on the St tt'
Farms (sometimes on Sundays). Such a day is free from studies?
80 "THE RELATION OF THE AUTHORITIES TO TEACHERS
"Teachers, like the youth, are to a great degree oreactionary09 Generally
there ie n open opposition to the regime, but. there is decided, quiet resis-
tance. The percentage of individuals passiviy submitting to propaganda and
working along its principles is about 20 percent. Communist teachers make
up a small group composed of the very young ones brought up in the new spirit
(and not qualified), or those who became opportunists for their own safety?
School authorities incessantly watch over the ideological indoctrination of
the youth. They amange visits of educational and social agents. Lessons
are evaluated on the basis of their social utility. Inspectors who judge
lessons otherwise are not able to keep their positi ns.- (For example, K.B.?
a master of arts, was removed from his position of inspector in 1950.) In-
spectors oppresatng students a4. teachers with demands of knowledge in the
field of Mkrxiam ares DADLEZ, SWIERCZEWSKA, JANKOWSKAI JARCZEWSKA. Inspec-
t.rs not only attend lectures but also carry on discussions with students
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ordering them them to judge their professors and encouraging_ them to inform.
Principals listen at the doors classrooms and publicly admonish pro-
fessors with threats. (Examples of this are Anna Lazarowicz wa9 Principal
of the Prag Gymnasium and Lyceum for Womens, Wars w9 12 Kawaczynska Stieet9
and Franciszek Sparrow, Principal of the Gymnasium and Lyceum for Nen9 Warsaw9
194 Grochoweka Street.) A teacher may not miss a single hour without a cer-
tifi e from the physicain of Ubezp(ieczenia) Sp41(ecznego) (Social insurance).
Certificates of private physicians are considered sabetagee The teacher is
forced to read ideological lectures and submit to examinations on Contemporary
P land. (This is also true of physical instructors9 p rters9 and secretaries.)
50X1-HUM
"The teacher is not given the advantage of any price reductions (except on trains)
nor is he granted any privileges. He is n t permitted to be sick.
A teacher merkeng under Lazarowiczoaa
was literally ordered every step of the way. (For example9 she publicly re-
primanded Father Li for not standing during the playing the Internationale.)
9. "SALARIES.
"A staff teacher earns up to 650 lotys menth contract te chers having full
staff rating up to 600 ziotyeSprincipal around 900 lotya; secretarie in a
asiun 400 zloty ? pert rs 30Ce=350 zlotys.
:14e
11,:e 'THE GENERAL LEVEL
"The scholastic level in secondary schools is very loee There are many ueeeeli-
Lied teachers (students from the second or even the firet year of studies)0
leech of the yluth is accepted and promoted fr class t* class on the basis
of attainments in o-called social work. Foreign languages were t such a
low level9 bec use of the lack f teachers and textbook 9 that matriculation
in languages was discontinued. The Russian language is introduced in the
lower grades and bligatory for everyone. Latin9 French and English is being
syst tically eliminated. The German language is completely abolished.
'Teachers are often people who do not know the given subject. For example9
a graduate of SGGWO taught physis andaetroneny in a lyceum of mathematics
and phy ics9 while another 9professor,9 ide S99 did n t ven know how to speak
Polish crrect1y0 9Professcr8 J09 before he became a party meMber and ad-
vanced t4 the position of a teacher of mathematics in the Lyceum, was for
maeryeece an elementary school teacher and had completed only the public
university; likewise M. L.
U ? w POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION
"As a rule9 school authorities are unf vorably dirp.sed toward all those who
belonged to the AK (Arnja Krajowa9 Home Army) and took part in the Warsaw
upri ing or returned to P land from the West. A teacher who c ed aey
of the above mentioned 9crimes9 cannot advance9 does not receive any bonuses9
and is never a candidate for premium pay. He is given special surveillance
and the principal very often site in on his lectures. He is questioned
mete severely and exhaustively at ideological examinations. The writer9
Jo re (1409 Professor J. relczyneki9 and Captain B09 were in this class.
50X1-HUM
As for religious persecution an event tok place in
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October 1950 in the gymnasium on .12 Kaweczynaka Street. was in this
year that the principal, Anna Lazarewices, took over and issued a directive
to remove the crosses from the front of the room and to hang them in the
rear. In the' place of the crosses9 she ordered portraits of 9state figures('
to be being. For this she was singled out by Inspector Dadlez in his rating
of teaching versemnpl, activity. Not satisfied with the trane-Pee mf the
ereseeee, eee leer in .W.-7ember 1950 he oMel-ed,the porter tc remove all the crosses
and hide them Uring the bsence of the students. (Questioned by Father Ie
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as to to what happened to the crossea she replied that she bid them in
order to provoke the youth to a demonstration and thereby find out who
among the young people is their subversive leader0 el can spit on the
cross, 0 she stated publicly. Religious instruction is not a required
subject, but, after this same Lazarowicsowa had refused to bring in a
priest, thinking that this was raising her in the esteem of the authorities,
a delegation of parents came to her demanding that religious instruction be
introduced into the school.
12. "CONFIDANTS OF THE UB
"As a rule, every principal is in close cooperation with the UB (Security
Police) and tries to encourage the youth to this worthy occupation. Very
extensive activity of this type was carried on by the principal, Francissek
SPARROW, promising the boys promotions for informing on their friends and
teachers. Another confidant of the UB is Nhrkowski, manager of the Per-
sonnel Division of the Board. Informers among teachers are JURCZYK,
LEMIESZEWSKI, SAWICKI, and among the students WIWA SZULC, JANUSZ LABECKI
and KONRAD B14ZYK. Alleged confidants of the PP A" tho manager of the
Personnel Division of the University of Warsaw Tadeusz 50X1-HUM
OLSZEWSZKI, and the secretary of the school, 194 Groehowska Street,
Josephine BOROW1KOWA.
11.,"TOSSIBILiTIES OF COUNTERACTING SOVIETIZATION
"At the moment sensible propaganda to uncover S viet lies and acquaint the
youth with accomplishments of western culture through literary broadcasts
(broadcasts for students) is most important.
14. "POPULARITY OF THE WEST
"Young people eagerly listen to broadcasts from the West and are waiting
for a change of conditions, although a few of them repeat ouch nonsense
as the statement that Americans feed their children candy and cocaine.
. But these voices are drowned out, and all kinds of jokes on State holidays
and Polish-Soviet dignitaries circulate almost in public.
15. "THE RESULT OF ANTI-RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDA
"Its effect is at a minimum. Young people eagerly seek religion and hate
anti-religious mud-slingers.
16. "MDRALiTY
"There is marked tendency on the part of Communist authorities to wipe out
the traditions of the Polish nation and one of these is that of marriage.
Thus young people are being accustomed to freely spending their time at co-
educational camps without the supervision of elders. Such camps, led by
students,must lead to all kinds of occurrences as reported by the young
people themselves.
17. "HIGHER SCHOOLS
"Who can attend higher schools? Everyone can enroll and everyone is permitted
to take the entrance examination. There are, however, three categories f
lists of candidates for studiest
Those asked the easiest questions and invari bly accepted
(active ZNPtsj ex-soldiers of the Kosoluszko Arm, and
party members).
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03) Those against whom no charges have been made but who,
nevertheless, are not enthusiastically welcomed by the
party (here the examination decides).
(c) Those rejected a priori. Examinations are strictly a
formality and the questions are the most difficult and
tricky. These are the children of people engaged in
private enterprise and of former members of the AK
(Home Army)0
lane of my students was refused admittance for the study of medicine,
becausetwhen he was questioned as to what }happened to his father, he
answered that his father was murdered at Katyn? adding after a pause,
'naturally by the Germans.'
18. " CHOLARSHIPS
"As in secondary schools, scholarships as high as 220 zlotys are granted
to active members of ZMP or of the party, to the children of shockworkers
and party leaders, and to student leaders in public work and education.
Scholarship itself, however, is not considered.
19.. "EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
"'he most important examination for entrance is one on Contemporary Poland.
Questions pertain to the conditions in P land and the upsR. There are
also questions pertaining to the personal life of the candidates, his
family? etc. Up to 1950 a colloquium was required besides the final
examination, but in 1950 this was rep].: ced by an examination on Contemporary
Poland in every faculty. During the last year, seminars in Marxism are
given. In 1951, for Polish studies, it was not permissible to take general
philosophy, logic, or psychology as formerly, only Marxist philosophy.
20. "THESIS REQUIREMENTS
"In March 1951 a directive was issued stating that a graduate student could
not choose the topic of his master's thesis, but that topics would be pre-
pared by the Ministry of write on
the works f Sienkiewicz.
21. "EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS
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"Marxism is introduced at the expense of other subjects, but the standard
is still maintained somewhat because there is no one to take the place
of the old professors. However, after the death of Professor Maclaw
Borowy? his chair was occupied by Zolkiewski who does not .even have a doctorate.
Non-party assistants are removed and the newly appointed ones are iudzed by +1,-
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ZMP.
22 "MP
"The ZMP flourishes as widely in the university as in secondary schools.
In the universities likewise it comprises 90 percent opportunists. The
driving force of ZNP is its administration whth directs the activities of
the rest. About 30 percent of the students are not enrolled in the ZMP."
-end-
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