Commission of National Education - 250 Years of Modern Education

The first textbooks of the Enlightenment in the collection of the National Institute of Ossoliński family

By Ossoliński National Institute

dr Konrad Szymański (Department of Early Printed Books of the Ossolinski National Institut)

Project. Acts of the Commission of the National Education [...]Ossoliński National Institute

Establishment of the National Education Commission

On October 14, 1773, the first ministry of public education in Europe was established - the National Education Commission (KEN).

Introduction to Physics for National SchoolsOssoliński National Institute

The Department of Old Prints of the National Institute of The Ossoliński family stores the first printed works of KEN members, as well as the first editions of textbooks published in the spirit of the reforms of that time, which are an eloquent testimony to the achievements of the Polish Enlightenment.

Ratio Atqve Institvtio Stvdiorvm Societatis IesvOssoliński National Institute

The beginning of reforms

In August 1773, the Jesuit order, which had until then constituted the basis of primary and secondary education in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, was dissolved.

Establishment of the Commission having supervision over the Education of the Nation’s Young Nobles (1773/1773) by unknownOssoliński National Institute

This event determined the need to create a completely new organization of education on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. At the same time, it was an opportunity to carry out profound reforms of the conservative Jesuit education.

Ratio Atqve Institvtio Stvdiorvm Societatis Iesv, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Emmanuelis Alvari è Societate Iesv De Institutione Grammatica Libri Tres, Manuel Álvarez (1526-1583), 1697/1697, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Jesuit education continued the 16th century traditions of Ratio Studiorum, which emphasized the study of humanities in Latin. This was taught based on the many times reprinted textbook by Emmanuel Alvarez - De Institutione Grammatica Libri Tres.

Laying out the Teachings for Krakow Schools[...] (1777/1777) by Hugo Kołłątaj (1750-1812)Ossoliński National Institute

A new model of education

A group of experts led by Hugo Kołłątaj created from scratch a three-level education model with parish and district schools and universities in Vilnius and Krakow.

Zoology, or animal writing, for national schoolsOssoliński National Institute

New curriculum

In the spirit of the Enlightenment, a completely new curriculum was developed, introducing, among others: elements of physical education, natural history, Polish as the main language of instruction and new textbooks on botany and zoology.

On the Ordinance and the Improvement of Civic Education [...]Ossoliński National Institute

Education for each citizen

Access to solid education was not to be limited only to children of noble birth.

Speech in the Anniversary of the Opening of the Society for Elementary Books [...]Ossoliński National Institute

Textbooks in Polish language

One of the KEN’s most important achievements was undoubtedly the development of pioneer textbooks in Polish, which was supervised by the Society for Elementary Books established in 1775.

Announcement from the Commission of National Education [...], From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Announcement from the Commission of National Education [...], From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Particularly noteworthy is the historic “Announcement [...] Regarding the Writing of Elementary Books for Provincial Schools” published in 1775, in which the Society for Elementary Books presented guidelines for authors regarding the development of new textbooks. We will find here the “Layout of Sciences [...]” prepared by the KEN, which outlines the new curriculum together with a list of subjects.

Introduction to Physics for National SchoolsOssoliński National Institute

The authors and the editors 

They were specialists in particular fields - outstanding representatives of the Polish and European Enlightenment. The Polish terminology of some sciences, developed at that time, became the binding basis for many fields, still used in Polish science today.

Excerpts from Classical Authors Used for Teaching in National SchoolsOssoliński National Institute

The first of pioneer textbooks

That were “Excerpts from Classical Authors [...]” from 1777. Already on the first pages, the text "On Mutual Duties between the Student and the Teacher" was placed, referring to the moral education important for KEN. 

Geometry for National Schools. Part I[-II]Ossoliński National Institute

Arithmetic and geometry

Contests for the first arithmetic and geometry textbooks were won by the Swiss mathematician Simon Antoine Jean L'Huillier. Their first editions appeared in 1778 and 1780.

Introduction to Physics for National SchoolsOssoliński National Institute

Physics

Physicist and director of the School of Chivalry, Michał Jan Hube, was to introduce young Poles to the issues of physics.

Botany For National Schools, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Zoology, or animal writing, for national schools, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Pioneer botany and zoology textbooks

Botany For National SchoolsOssoliński National Institute

Botany

The world of plants was described here by the famous naturalist Jan Krzysztof Kluk.

Zoology, or animal writing, for national schoolsOssoliński National Institute

Zoology

And the world of animals was described by doctor and zoologist Paweł Czempinski.

Arithmetic for National Schools, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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Introduction to Physics for National Schools, From the collection of: Ossoliński National Institute
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After Poland lost its independence, the teaching staff educated in the spirit of KEN’s reforms educated successive generations of young people. The textbooks developed by the Society for Elementary Books (still in use after 1918) were used by all the great artists of the 19th century, such as Adam Mickiewicz or Bolesław Prus and scientists such as Ignacy Łukasiewicz and Maria Skłodowska-Curie.

Credits: Story

Text prepared by:
dr Konrad Szymański, Department of Early Printed Books, the National Ossoliński Institute

Photographs prepared by:

Andrzej Niedźwiecki, Mirosław Koch, Copy and Photo workroom, the National Ossoliński Institute.


The origin of the collection:

Department of Early Printed Books of the National Ossoliński Institute



Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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