Народна школа грамоти в таборі полонених українців Вецляр, Німеччина (вересень 1915 – березень 1917 рр.): короткий нарис історії створення та діяльності.

Abstract

The article analyzes the specifics of the functioning of the public school in the Wetzlar Camp of Ukrainian prisoners of war who served in the tsarist army. The authors also identify the impact of education on the prisoners. Although the school was an effective tool of the Ukrainization processes, its influence was limited by strong anti-Ukrainian obstruction by the Black Hundred groups’ members and the Little Russians during September 1915 – October 1916. They were kept in the camp for many months. Nevertheless, the teaching staff of the school did not stop their work, contributing into the formation of national consciousness of their Ukrainian students. In the autumn of 1916, the efforts of the local Ukrainian clubs and institutions (including the public school) brought about a cumulative effect – most campers had adhered pro-Ukrainian views and begun actively participate in the activity of camp cultural and educational centres. This way the public school became a kind of «centre of gravity» throughout the camp and the number of its students grew steadily. It happened because the prisoners realized the ultimate need for their own education. They wanted to get rid of their illiteracy and acquired additional primary knowledge from various subjects offered to them by the school. The teachers staff were the civilian members of the Educational Department of the “Union for the Liberation of Ukraine”. Thanks to them, the prisoners had the opportunity to learn Ukrainian literature, as well as get some knowledge in history and geography of Ukraine, arithmetic and science. Thus, because of the public school, the prisoners not only acquired literacy, got writing and grounding in mathematics, but they also broaden their minds. The irreversible changes in their national character happened due to the education and consistent patriotic position of the teachers. After visiting school, most of students were already inextricably linked to Ukraine, ready to share their knowledge to affirm national ideals among the Ukrainians.
 Key words: Ukrainians – prisoners of war, public school, alphabet, teacher, student, Wetzlar camp, Germany.