This paper shall attempt a discussion of the impact the German reunification had on the former East German teachers and students. The biographical account of a sample teacher, Anna Große, as described by Melanie Fabel-Lamla in her ethnographical studies from 2004-2006, will be used as a cliffhanger to hear some of the authentic voices of those people concerned.
Not even the most liberal teacher, uh, can have the illusion that for his school, all this does not apply or so, or that one could cancel it out, this function of the state…. I want to stay with the students. And I hope that I can give them something on their way through their lives…. And I give a shit whether this suits somebody politically or not. (Fabel-Lamla, 2006, p. 172)
Anna Große, a former East German teacher whose radical words are repeated here, is but one of the victims of our educational reform—the teachers and students who lived through the East German educational system, and for whom a dream—or a fear?—came true after the reunification in 1989. One country, two ideologies—after the “Wende” (Change), Germany had to face the issue of bringing East and West together with a common educational goal, so that the youth of the future could be educated in a democratic way and under academic freedom. For the West, everything remained the same (apart for the additional taxes for “Aufbau Ost”—“Rebuilding the East,” a term whose condescendence has always bothered me); we still had our 13 years of education in the West, whereas the East was suddenly threatened to adapt its 12-year system (which, by the way, is common in the other European countries, as well as in the U.S.) to our school system.
But it is not only a matter of structure—what went on in the minds; what about the East German teachers and students? How could they combine their upbringing and previous education, which was marked by ideological infiltration, unfair grading, favoritism of the politically engaged, hindrances regarding school and subject selection, suppression and persecution of teachers, professors, and students, with the new “freedom of expression” which the West bounteously threw at their feet? What have those teachers and students lost; what have they gained? How did they fare, and if they were rebellious under the Communist regime, was their fight honored afterwards accordingly?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Anna’s Story
History of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Its Educational System
After the “Wende”: Wind of Change in the East German Educational System
Conclusion and Discussion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the profound impact of German reunification on the East German educational system, specifically focusing on the personal and professional struggles of teachers and students. It explores how individuals transitioned from a highly centralized, ideologically driven system to a democratic framework, investigating the challenges of overcoming deeply ingrained socialist indoctrination and the subsequent processes of adaptation and coping in a post-reunification environment.
- The biographical experience of teachers under the socialist regime and during the transition period.
- Historical context of the GDR educational system and its ideological foundations.
- Psychological and professional consequences of "political soundness" requirements after 1989.
- Comparative analysis of East and West German educational structures and mentalities.
Excerpt from the Book
Anna’s Story
Aber ich bin dann krank geworden. Ich bin psychisch und nervlich so zusammengerutscht, dass mein ganzer Kreislauf nicht mehr funktionierte. Ich hab hier vier Wochen zu Hause gelegen. Richtig richtig flach gelegen…. Ich kam nich hoch, ich konnt nich mehr laufen. Das hab ich noch nie erlebt. Also die die Wende hat mich die hat mich umgemäht…. Und das musste verkraftet warden. (Fabel-Lamla, 2004, p. 83)
But then I became ill. I collapsed psychologically and nervously, so that my whole circulation did not function anymore. I’ve been lying here at home for four weeks. Really really flat… I couldn’t get up; I couldn’t walk any more. I’ve never experienced that before. But the the Change, it has, it really knocked me down… And one had to get over that. (Fabel-Lamla, 2004, p. 83)
These words from Anna show us that her body reacted with collapse to the demise of Socialism in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). This GDR teacher was suddenly confronted with the system change and institutional transfer after the fall of the Berlin Wall. However, her last sentence shows that she was willing to cope with the transformation process, and to take the challenge.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces the research focus on the impact of German reunification on East German education and presents the biographical account of Anna Große as a lens for understanding the lived experiences of those affected.
Anna’s Story: This section details the life of a former GDR teacher, examining her upbringing within the socialist system, her professional challenges, and her psychological reaction to the collapse of the German Democratic Republic.
History of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Its Educational System: This chapter outlines the historical foundations of the GDR, the centralized and ideologically controlled nature of its schools, and the immediate systemic shifts following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
After the “Wende”: Wind of Change in the East German Educational System: This chapter discusses the personal and social adjustments required in the wake of reunification, highlighting the identity crises of individuals caught between two opposing political systems.
Conclusion and Discussion: The final chapter reflects on the "denazification" parallels post-1945 versus the post-1989 "purge" of Marxist teachers, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for political and professional alignment in a reunified Germany.
Keywords
German Reunification, GDR, East German Educational System, Socialism, SED, Wende, Teacher Biography, Political Soundness, Academic Freedom, Ideological Indoctrination, Transformation, Anna Große, Stasi, Marxism-Leninism, Institutional Transfer
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on the educational and personal impact of German reunification on former East German teachers and students, specifically looking at how they navigated the transition from a socialist to a democratic system.
What are the central themes discussed in this paper?
Central themes include educational policy in the GDR, the role of ideological indoctrination, the psychological effects of the political transition, and the professional challenges of teachers under the new regime.
What is the core research question?
The paper asks how East German teachers and students adapted to the "freedom of expression" and structural changes after reunification, given their history of ideological infiltration and state-controlled education.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes an ethnographical approach, incorporating biographical accounts and case studies, such as that of the teacher Anna Große, to provide authentic insights into the human experience of the transition.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the historical formation of the GDR school system, the recruitment of "socialist" teachers, the post-1989 structural reforms, and the personal struggles of individuals facing "political soundness" reviews.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include German reunification, GDR, educational reform, teacher identity, socialist ideology, and the institutional transition of the East German school system.
How does the author define the "political soundness" of teachers?
Political soundness refers to the rigorous examination of educators during the reunification process to determine their ideological alignment and suitability for employment in the new, democratic educational system.
What unique case study is presented in the paper?
The paper centers on the biography of Anna Große, a former East German teacher whose life story highlights the conflict between her socialist upbringing, her professional commitment, and the disillusionment she felt after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Dr. Christina Lyons (Autor:in), 2010, East German teachers and students before and after the reunification. Challenges and problems, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1133163
