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?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the impact of German reunification on former East German teachers and students. Using the biographical account of a former East German teacher, Anna Große, the paper explores the challenges faced by those who lived under the East German educational system and how they coped with the transition to a unified Germany. The paper aims to understand the experiences of these individuals and the ways in which their personal and professional lives were affected by the political and social changes that occurred in the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- The impact of the "Wende" (Change) on East German teachers and students
- The experiences of individuals coping with the transition from a socialist to a democratic educational system
- The role of ideology and political engagement in the East German educational system
- The challenges faced by former SED members in a unified Germany
- The personal and professional consequences of the demise of Socialism for East German teachers and students
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the paper and presents Anna Große, a former East German teacher, as a case study for exploring the experiences of those who lived through the East German educational system and the impact of reunification on their lives. It highlights the challenges of transitioning from a socialist to a democratic educational system and raises questions about the experiences of East German teachers and students after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Anna's Story: This chapter delves into Anna Große's personal story, focusing on her upbringing in the GDR, her experiences as a teacher, and her reactions to the political changes that led to reunification. It explores her emotional struggles with the demise of Socialism, the pressures she faced as a former SED member, and the challenges she faced in adapting to the new educational system.
- History of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Its Educational System: This chapter provides historical background information about the GDR and its educational system, highlighting the key features of the socialist system, its ideological influences, and its impact on teachers and students. It examines the constraints and limitations imposed by the GDR regime on education, including the role of the SED party in controlling educational institutions and its influence on curricula and teaching practices.
- After the "Wende": Wind of Change in the East German Educational System: This chapter focuses on the post-reunification period and its impact on the East German educational system. It examines the challenges of integrating the East German system with the West German system, highlighting the changes in educational structures, curriculum, and teaching practices. It explores the difficulties faced by former East German teachers in adapting to the new system and the challenges they faced in reconciling their past experiences with the demands of a democratic society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the impact of German reunification on former East German teachers and students. The keywords include "East German education," "German reunification," "Wende," "Socialism," "democracy," "SED party," "teaching practices," "ideology," "identity," and "transition."
- Quote paper
- Dr. Christina Lyons (Author), 2010, East German teachers and students before and after the reunification. Challenges and problems, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1133163
