A school that is mine, yours, ours. Around the thirtieth anniversary of non-public schools in Gdańsku

Abstract

This year schools of the Civic Educational Association in Gdańsk celebrate their thirtieth anniversary. It is an opportunity to summarize and reflect on the efforts made in 1989, in order to build liberal and independent education. This text is an attempt at taking a closer look at achievements of non -public schools from a local perspective along with its overall impact on education in Poland. The social movement, which led to creation of first non- state schools in 1989, developed and evolved in various directions – associations, foundations, as well as privatized sector. Moreover, the article focuses on social schools run by STO Independent Local Board, their social character and means of cooperation. Abovementioned schools place importance on value and education, as well as building a school environment for students, parents and teachers. The history of the First Civic Primary School of the Civic Educational Association (STO) in Gdańsk could serve as narrative of development of independent education. Its creation in 1989 gave rise to implementation of the idea of a school breaking the state monopoly in education, through caring for the comprehensive development of each child and giving parents the opportunity to take responsibility for the upbringing and education of their own children. Educational concept, original approach of teachers (carefully elected by parents of students) to curricula, organization and school management – all these elements had a real impact on building the school in its assumptions and in social reality. All in all, today they have a prominent position on the educational map of Gdańsk and Poland, as they brought an independent pedagogical thought and a community model of building a school to the Polish education system.