Ministerium für Volksbildung - Ministry of Public Education

[Gordon Craig]

Gentlemen,

Some more pictures of items from my collection. This time concerning the Ministry of Education.

"Ministry of Public Education (GDR)

The Ministry of Education of the GDR was (1989/1990 Ministry of Education and Science), the highest governing body of the school administration, and childcare. As such, it played a central role in the education system of the GDR .

In 1950, the Ministry was established as the successor to the German Central Administration for National Education. It was responsible for the organization of public education. In particular, pre-school education, the school system, and other academic and extracurricular education.
Together with the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences , it defined the learning objectives and content and was responsible for the development of curricula and teaching materials. There were also the objectives and content of the education and training of teachers. The teacher training colleges were under the Ministry.
The stated goal was to ensure a consistent socialist education. Therefore, the Ministry controlled the field of vocational training and the compliance with the requirements of the general education policy.

A view of the Ministry Building taken from the Reichstag in March of 1990. The building was later stripped of its facade, remodeled and became a BRD government building.

[Gordon Craig]

Some awards of the Ministry.

Ehrennadel des Ministerium für Volksbildung

Honour Needle of the Ministry of Public Education

"This badge of honour was an award of the Ministry of Public Education in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) It was instituted on the 28th March 1963. The awarding of the badge of honour was usually done by the local organs of public education, primarily through the county and city school boards. The award was to honour all those who had distinguished themselves through their outstanding achievements and for successful collaboration in the socialist education. Furthermore, it was awarded for special achievements in the building of socialist education. The awarding of this badge was terminated in 1973.
The large sized badge of this award , measuring 33mm x 22.5mm, was only issued during 1963/64 (Bartels 940). In 1964 a smaller bronze badge of honour, (Bartels 941) measuring 24.5 mm high and 18.5 mm wide began to be issued."


The badge shown in the picture below is the smaller issue one from my collection.

[Gordon Craig]

The successor badge to the Ehrennadel des Ministerium für Volksbildung was the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service in Socialist Education (Ehrennadel für Verdienste im Sozialistischen)
This badge was instituted on 1 December, 1973. It continued to be awarded until 1990. It may be found with the banner in enamel and the State Emblem in enamel, the banner in enamel and the State Emblem painted or with both painted. The example from my collection shown here has an enamel banner and a painted State Emblem.

[Gordon Craig]

There were two other awards presented by the Ministry which are not in my collection so I am showing examples found on the net.

"Lessing-Medal

The Lessing Medal was an official ministerial award in the GDR and was in memory of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. After the final examination in schools it was awarded as special recognition for outstanding performance with very good social and extra-curricular work. It was founded on the 28th April 1950. At first, it exist in only a first stage, then in three stages, and finally in two stages."
The history of this medal is too complex to include in this thread. It deserves its own thread.

The medal below is a silver example.

[Gordon Craig]

Bartel lists #949 as the "Diesterweg-Preis" and says there was no medal. I was unable to find any reference to this prize on the net but I was able to find somehting on a "Diesterweg-Medaille" with the following information.

"Teachers, while involved in socialist education and who rendered "special services" were honoured with the medal Diesterweg and with the honorary title "Honored Teacher of the People."("Verdienter Lehrer des Volkes") The namesake of the award was the Civil pedagogue Friedrich Adolph Wilhelm Diesterweg (1790-1866). Instituted in 1966 and awarded until 1990. The medal was usually awarded on the 12th of June, the "Teacher's Day". If anyone has a picture of one of these "medals", or more information on this prize please post it here.

Regards,

Gordon

[Gordon Craig]

As soon as I had closed this thread I found the following on the DDR Kabinet Bockum web site. The site does not give the medal illustrated a name but the tittle listed certainly fits this thread.

Regards,

Gordon

"About the "Teacher's Day" in the GDR


The first stage of the development of education in the GDR began with the May / June 1946, adopted in the countries of the Soviet occupation zone "law on the democratization of the German school." On June 12, 1946 had all the state governments to the law consent. Five Years later, in 1951, this day was first celebrated as the "Day of the Teacher."
The decision, 12 the June for the "Teacher's Day" to explain, was an expression of appreciation of the great achievements of the teachers who provided them every day for the education of youth. Humanistic your order, all the children of the people to form all sides developed personalities and educate required a high educational commitment. you educated and formed the youth with wisdom, love and care, and prepared them for life in socialism. They focused their activity on the issue of a qualified teaching that promoted extra-curricular activities of the students and supported them in their leisure time. teachers and educators worked closely in the performance of their duties, together with parents and their chosen representatives."



Obverse and Reverse of the award "Honored Teacher of the people" - from the archives of the East German stock Cabinet Bochum eV

[uscob]

Gordon,
I found a Diesterweg-Preis, awarded by the City of Bad Lobenstein in Thuringia, for something Educational and it is still awarded in these Day's. It isn't stated for what, but it was mentioned in the Amtsblatt, so the Official Notifications of the City.
Except for the Verdienter Lehrer, what is a hundred Years ago that I had one, I also have all of the Awards shown.
It's really fascinating what you find, when you're cleaning up a bit. It might be a bit more as when you clean up.
All the Best
Nico

Bartel lists #949 as the "Diesterweg-Preis" and says there was no medal. I was unable to find any reference to this prize on the net but I was able to find somehting on a "Diesterweg-Medaille" with the following information.

"Teachers, while involved in socialist education and who rendered "special services" were honoured with the medal Diesterweg and with the honorary title "Honored Teacher of the People."("Verdienter Lehrer des Volkes") The namesake of the award was the Civil pedagogue Friedrich Adolph Wilhelm Diesterweg (1790-1866). Instituted in 1966 and awarded until 1990. The medal was usually awarded on the 12th of June, the "Teacher's Day". If anyone has a picture of one of these "medals", or more information on this prize please post it here.

Regards,

Gordon

[Hagen]

Excellent, and very informative thread Gordon, thank you!

[Gordon Craig]

Nico and Hagen,

Thanks for your comments.

Regards,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

Hello all - I hope this document assists the ongoing discussion.

Gordon - Thanks for creating this thread...much appreciated.

[Gordon Craig]

Ralph,

Thanks for posting the document. Be nice to add one to my collection. Even a blanco one would do at this point.

Regards,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

Thanks Gordon. I hope you are able to find one. I am not sure if these are hard to find since mine came out of a grouping.