(EN) This is the cache about (outside Poland) very little known fact from its past. I am living here for almost 15 years and I myself have got to know it quite recently. It is a shame, so I would like to let it know at least little bit more using this cache and showing you very small object which for me is the key to understand how it is possible, that despite its difficult past, today this country is one of the fastest growing in Europe.
Everyone knows Poland suffered terrible war losses. The war probably hit the hardest its intelligentsia and culture which both Hitler and Stalin tried to deliberately destroy. You can read more about it here or here. But it is important to see that these atrocities were part of much wider plan. It can be well illustrated by memorandum Heinrich Himmler wrote in a May 1940: "The sole purpose of this schooling is to teach them simple arithmetic, nothing above the number 500; writing one's name; and the doctrine that it is divine law to obey the Germans... I do not think that a knowledge of reading is desirable.". This turned into practice meant closing or destruction of universities, schools, museums, libraries, and scientific laboratories. All high schools and universities were closed down. Only primary schools could stay but with limited programme (Poland was the only country were even primary schools were effected by occupation).
Taking into account these years of missing schooling, heavy losses amongst teachers, clerks, doctors etc. I was always puzzled how it is possible that in every plane I board from Warsaw there are tens of polish programmers, IT consultants, managers, scientists, students - all with great reputation outside Poland. How can it be that on every single work assignment I worked in Poland I met so many bright people and the level and knowledge in average for sure was not worse than in any other country I worked, but very often better (and believe me I worked in many countries…). And how it can be that this country is growing faster than most of European countries? Did these war losses really not have any effect?
Close to the cache (see waypoint), there is a small inconspicuous memorial. It is dedicated to Secret Teaching Organization, which according to historian Norman Davies undertook the education of a million children. By 1942, about 1,500,000 students took part in the Organization underground primary education; in 1944, its secondary school system covered 100,000 people and the university level courses, about 10,000. I am quite sure this is one of the sources of today’s success of Poland. Let me quote one student Roman Mycielski who attended secret primary class in those times. And imagine that instead of driving your kid to the school you send him to a tram or bus with fake documents… and just wait if it ever comes back…:
“…In 1943 we started to attend secret school. It was organised by nouns on Kazimerzowska street, I do not remember which order it was anymore. But there we were only once – when we did exam and oath. Each class had 8-10 students and 1 teacher. Lessons were in flats of students according to prepared schedule. Schedule was done in the way that there was no lesson in the same day of the week and start of the lesson was also changing each day independently. It was not allowed to enter or leave flat in a group, so end of the lesson took 1-2 hours. Our class had 6 flats … It was not possible to carry the satchel or briefcase. All was written on a paper cards. It was forbidden to sign these cards, we only marked them with pre-agreed drawings. These cards were carried in a special lining in our clothes. …We had also special place to carry fountain pens, but we made sure everyone could see it (as everyone except Germans knew it means we go to secret school and we were so proud of it)…. We also had fake documents…We were learning passionately. I can tell you I have never later learned so much. On a one hand it was due to all this conspiracy around it and constant feeling of danger, on the other hand we had a feeling we are fighting with the enemy, and not at least these few hours a day we felt really free...What would have happen if we would be caught? Teacher would after terrible interrogation get death penalty or in a best case she would be sent to concentration camp, which so few people survived... What would happen to us depends on what would be revealed. In case they would just discover we are not in an official school with limited program there was some hope for us, but in case they would find out cards, books or anything indicating we are learning here it would be much worse… I am not sure, but I am sure what would happen to teacher and owners of the flat…”
(PL) Szybka skrytka w hołdzie Tajnej Organizacji Nauczycielskej. Dla Polaków nic nowego, więc tym razem pozwoliłem sobie opisać ja tylko w angielskim.
Congratulations to:
FTF: y_a_h_oo
STF: Akesis
TTF: ru.beus
