EDUCATION IN THE GREATER GERMAN REICH [Erziehung im Gross-Deutschen Reich] by Dr. Rudolf Benze
[Page 24] (a) Kindergartens and Children's Homes [Horte] Kindergartens were originated by Friedrich Froelsel in 1840. They take care of the education, custody and health of the child of preschool age in the daytime in cases where the family is not fully able to do so (e.g. where the mother is working). They are, at the same time, for many children the first introduction into a social group. Still smaller children are being taken care of in nursery schools. The children's homes have the same tasks for children of school age during their leisure time. The attendance of this today indispensable institution is voluntary. Special Kindergartens for the harvesting period have become of great importance within recent years. Their aim is to lighten the task of country women during the harvest. The party and the state are primarily responsible for these children's institutions. The National Socialist Public Welfare Organization [N.S.V.] takes care of approximately 15,000 of them. Only a small portion is today still administered by private persons or agencies. State and party, therefore, take also the responsibility for the proper education and training of the workers to be employed in these institutions.
[Page 74] (S) The University and University-like Institutions
(a) The University
* * * National Socialism expects from its institutions of
higher learning that they should also in the future be devoted to serious research and pass on to the coming generation the traditions of science and its incorruptible methods. But beyond that the party demands that institutions of higher learning should become, more than in the past, places of indoctrination [Erzie-hungstaelten] for the coming generation. From the scientists it is demanded that their researches should be carried out in a strictly scientific manner and with a serious zest for truth, without preconceptions; but the tasks which the scientists set for themselves should be close to life, dignified and important to the nation; every scientist at work should always be conscious of his duties toward his people and the state. Thus the fields of study in which Nationalsocialism is especially interested such as heredity and racial studies, archeology and early history, biology, German sociology [Volkskunde] and geopolitics have also found a preferred place within the institutions of higher learning since 1933 * * * .
178
2443-PS
[Page 128] (I) State Teachers
(1) Women Teachers in Kindergartens and Children's Homes
The education of the above was newly regulated by a decree of the Reich's minister of education, dated Sept. 15, 1942, in agreement with the head of the party chancellory. According to this decree, educators in Kindergartens and children's homes are to be known as "Kindergarten teachers" [Kindergaertuerin]. Their job is described as follows: "The Kindergarten teacher is an educator. She is a motherly leader of children in children's institutions (Kindergartens and nursery homes) and children's homes or at home for the assistance of, or in place, a mother. Her work is service to the child and at the same time service to the family and the nation".
Training is carried out in special colleges for Kindergarten teachers and is concluded by an examination. The authority for opening such schools is vested in public bodies generally responsible for schools (territorial subdivisions of the Reich). Teach- * ing must be done in the majority of cases by full time personnel. All teachers must be adequately trained, must have passed a state examination and be accepted by supervisory school authorities. The heads of these training schools must be approved by the Ministry of Reich Education.
The course takes two years. In cases where special experience can be proven this time may be shortened to IV2 years. The acceptance into a school for kindergarten teachers requires the candidate to be past 16 years of age or reach this age not later than during the calendar year concurrent with her entrance into the institution. It further requires a fair general education (equivalent to graduation from the Hauptschule, however, without foreign languages) a well founded knowledge of household tasks (housework and needlecraft) (equivalent to graduation from a domestic school) good health, to originate from German blood, to be a German citizen, to be a member of either the Nazi Party or the Hitler Youth Organization for girls [BDM] or the party's women's organization [NS Frauenschaft] or the German Woman's Organization [Deutsches Frauenwerk].
The professional school prepares the prospective kindergarten teachers for their activities as educators. The subject group "National Political Education" penetrates the entire course in order to achieve proper indoctrination. The essential parts of the pedagogical studies are educational sociology and health edu-
179
2443-PS
cation which should be represented by concretely referring to practical educational work. Vocational and liberal arts subjects complete the education. The training is completed by a state examination for Kindergarten Teachers. No one who did not attend the school shall be admitted to it. The examination consists of-written and oral parts (theoretical and practical) and a test in handcraft skill. After successful conclusions the right to carry the professional title of Kindergarten Teacher and to practice the profession is acquired. The certificate carries also the following privileges: (a) To enter a special school which prepares one to become a supervisor for kindergarten teachers [Tugendleiter]. (b) To enter a school for the training of social
welfare workers after all other conditions have been met. (c) To enter a seminary for the training of handcraft teachers according to the prevailing conditions.
The kindergarten teacher can become a supervisor provided she shows special capabilities and energy and possesses a high degree of educational and administrative skill. After a minimum of three years' experience as a kindergarten teacher a one year course for training of supervisors of kindergarten teachers may be taken. The certificate after successful conclusion of this course entitles the holder to be in charge of large kindergartens, nursery schools, and children's homes.
The following is the curriculum for the training of kindergarten teachers:
No. weekly hours
Subjects 1st and 2d year
i
ii
hi
National Political Education
Geography of the Reich
Local Geography and Folklore
German language
Educational Sociology
Theory of Education with Psychology
Professional Indoctrination
Social Welfare
Study of Juvenile Literature
Play and Work of Children
Nature Studies
Health and Physical Education Physical Education, Gymnastics, Folk Dancing, Games
Physical Exercises with Children Health Education, Body and Child Care
5
12
8
180
2443-PS
IV Handicraft and leisure time activities
Domestic Work (House work and Needlecraft) 9 Handicraft V Practical Work
Kindergarten, Nursery School, Children's Home ' 34
NB. The students are compelled; while attending training schools for kindergartefi teachers to serve with the Branch of the party organization to which they belong and especially to take part in the political training programs.
Extracts from a book on German education, including state and party kindergartens, university programs (including racial studies and German sociology), and the training of kindergarten teachers
Authors
Rudolf Benze (Dr., author)
Rudolf Benze
German teacher (1888-1966)
- Born: 1888-10-23 (Ildehausen)
- Died: 1966-10-08 (Göttingen)
- Country of citizenship: Germany
- Occupation: high school teacher; teacher
- Member of political party: German People's Party; Nazi Party
- Member of: Schutzstaffel
- VIAF ID: https://viaf.org/viaf/300018627
- ISNI: https://isni.org/isni/0000000403470702
Date: Date Unknown
Literal Title: "Erziehung im Gross-Deutchen Reich"
Total Pages: 3
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: PS-2443
Citation: IMT (page 255)
HLSL Item No.: 450301