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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
