Reconstructing Education
East German Schools after Unification
1st Edition
Published on 14. January 1999
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-57181-954-3 (ISBN)
Description
After the unification of Germany had first been greeted with euphoria on both sides of the Wall, it did not take long for disillusion to set in when it became obvious that structures, mentality, values and outlook were very different in the Old and New Bundeslaender. Moreover, whereas during the initial phase the East Germans were hoping just for a reform of their existing systems, they were soon disappointed and had to accept the fact that a fusion was out of the question; instead, East German structures were expected to assimilate to those of West Germany which led to the accusation of the latter's "colonization" of East Germany.
The restructuring of the education system played a crucial role in the transformation of East Germany; consequently, enormous sums were pumped into East German schools and the training of teachers. This is the first study in any language that closely examines the process re-education and addresses such vital questions as whether the reforms were educationally sound, to what degree they meshed with local circumstances, what measures were taken to fill the vacuum in moral and social values that was left by the discrediting of Marxism-Leninism, and what happened to the notion of "equality", the key principle of a socialist society. Contrasting the old and the new regime in the East, the author addresses these and many more critical issues. Numerous case studies and substantial interview material richly illustrate the author's arguments.
The restructuring of the education system played a crucial role in the transformation of East Germany; consequently, enormous sums were pumped into East German schools and the training of teachers. This is the first study in any language that closely examines the process re-education and addresses such vital questions as whether the reforms were educationally sound, to what degree they meshed with local circumstances, what measures were taken to fill the vacuum in moral and social values that was left by the discrediting of Marxism-Leninism, and what happened to the notion of "equality", the key principle of a socialist society. Contrasting the old and the new regime in the East, the author addresses these and many more critical issues. Numerous case studies and substantial interview material richly illustrate the author's arguments.
Reviews / Votes
"... ungemein ausgewogene und einfuehlsame Analyse der Entwicklungen... In seiner Mischung von Literatur- und Fallanalyse ist das Buch zugleich auch ein gutter Kurstext fuer Graduierten-Kurse. ? German Studies Review"A most commendable work, with sound empirical data and sensitive qualitative analysis." ? Higher Education in Europe
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Herndon
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Library binding
Illustrations
17 Tables, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
477 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-57181-954-3 (9781571819543)
DOI
10.3167/9781571819543
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
12/1998
1st Edition
Berghahn Books
€24.49
Available for download
Person
Rosalind M. O. Pritchard is Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Ulster with responsibility for training teachers of Modern Languages and of English as a Foreign Language.
Content
List of Tables
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1. The Fall of the Wall
The Berlin Wall
The Process of German Unification
The Law and the New Laender
The East German Psyche
Chapter 2. Reforming the School Structures
The GDR's Unified School System
Utopia in Sight? GDR Reform Aspirations after the Fall of the Wall
Legal Constraints on Change after Unification
New Schools for Old
Case Study: Establishment of a New Grammar School
The Demographic Decline
Reduction in the School Population
Brandenburg and the Jena Plan
Striving for Institutional Survival
Competition between Schools
Profiling
Tensions within the School System
Chapter 3. School Life and Learning
Educational Practice in the GDR
New Books
New Curricula and Syllabuses
New Approaches to the Methodology of Teaching
Pupil Classroom Norms in East Germany
Youth Policy in East Germany
Chapter 4. Religious Education, Church Schools and Ethics
Religion in a Socialist State
Education, Young People and the Church under Socialism
Religion in the United Germany
Church Schools
Exemplar of a Church School
Ethics and Religious Education in State Schools
Life Skills - Ethics - Religion ('LER')
Chapter 5. Training for the World of Work
The GDR Tradition of Vocational Educational
Shortcomings in the GDR Model of Vocational Education
Introduction of the West German Dual System
Economic Stringency and Its Impact on the Dual System
Case Study: The Goldsmith
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Renewing the Teaching Profession and Higher Education
Teachers and Their Universities before Unification
The Students and Student Life
The Wende
Restructuring and 'Cleansing' of University and School Staff
Restructuring of Higher Education Institutions
Closure of the Academy of Sciences and of the Academy of Educational Sciences
Changes in Third-Level Education Structures
A Reformed Teaching Profession
The Thorny Issues of Recognition and Pay
New Teacher Training Structures
Easterners Learn New School Law
Case Study I: Monika and the Miniskirt
Case Study II: Verena and the T-Shirt
The Aftermath
Human Relationships
How Did Students Fare under the New Regime
Change and Its Implications for Women Teachers, Students and Academics
Conclusion
Chapter 7. In Retrospect
Appendix I: Articles on Education and Higher Education and Research from the Unification Treaty
Appendix II: A Questionnaire Used to Evaluate Teachers for Political Soundness
Glossary
References
Index
Acknowledgements
Preface
Introduction
List of Abbreviations
Chapter 1. The Fall of the Wall
The Berlin Wall
The Process of German Unification
The Law and the New Laender
The East German Psyche
Chapter 2. Reforming the School Structures
The GDR's Unified School System
Utopia in Sight? GDR Reform Aspirations after the Fall of the Wall
Legal Constraints on Change after Unification
New Schools for Old
Case Study: Establishment of a New Grammar School
The Demographic Decline
Reduction in the School Population
Brandenburg and the Jena Plan
Striving for Institutional Survival
Competition between Schools
Profiling
Tensions within the School System
Chapter 3. School Life and Learning
Educational Practice in the GDR
New Books
New Curricula and Syllabuses
New Approaches to the Methodology of Teaching
Pupil Classroom Norms in East Germany
Youth Policy in East Germany
Chapter 4. Religious Education, Church Schools and Ethics
Religion in a Socialist State
Education, Young People and the Church under Socialism
Religion in the United Germany
Church Schools
Exemplar of a Church School
Ethics and Religious Education in State Schools
Life Skills - Ethics - Religion ('LER')
Chapter 5. Training for the World of Work
The GDR Tradition of Vocational Educational
Shortcomings in the GDR Model of Vocational Education
Introduction of the West German Dual System
Economic Stringency and Its Impact on the Dual System
Case Study: The Goldsmith
Conclusion
Chapter 6. Renewing the Teaching Profession and Higher Education
Teachers and Their Universities before Unification
The Students and Student Life
The Wende
Restructuring and 'Cleansing' of University and School Staff
Restructuring of Higher Education Institutions
Closure of the Academy of Sciences and of the Academy of Educational Sciences
Changes in Third-Level Education Structures
A Reformed Teaching Profession
The Thorny Issues of Recognition and Pay
New Teacher Training Structures
Easterners Learn New School Law
Case Study I: Monika and the Miniskirt
Case Study II: Verena and the T-Shirt
The Aftermath
Human Relationships
How Did Students Fare under the New Regime
Change and Its Implications for Women Teachers, Students and Academics
Conclusion
Chapter 7. In Retrospect
Appendix I: Articles on Education and Higher Education and Research from the Unification Treaty
Appendix II: A Questionnaire Used to Evaluate Teachers for Political Soundness
Glossary
References
Index