4.2.1

Education in Weimar

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Education in the Weimar Republic

The Weimar Constitution outlined the purpose and provision of education in Weimar Germany

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Free education

  • The Weimar government provided free education for children under the age of 14.
    • Article 143 in the Weimar Constitution (1919): “The education of youth shall be provided for through public institutions.”
  • Article 145 in the Weimar Constitution (1919): “Compulsory education shall be universal. For this purpose the elementary school with at least eight school years, followed by the continuation school up to the completion of the eighteenth year, shall serve primarily. Instruction and school supplies shall be free in elementary and continuation schools.”
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Moral purpose of education

  • Education was expected to serve a moral purpose in the Weimar Republic.
  • Article 148 in the Weimar Constitution (1919): "In all schools effort shall be made to develop moral education, civic sentiments, and personal and vocational efficiency in the spirit of the German national character and of international conciliation."
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Fee-paying schools

  • There were a few prestigious, fee paying schools. E.g. Gymnasia,
  • Article 147 in the Weimar Constitution (1919): “Private schools as a substitute for public schools shall require the approval of the state and shall be subject to the laws of the states. Such approval shall be granted if the standard of the private schools in their curricula and equipment, as well as in the scientific training of their teachers, does not fall below that of the public schools, and if no discrimination against pupils on account of the economic standing of their parents is fostered.”

Jump to other topics

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

5Historical Interpretations

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