Nauczyciele tajnego nauczania przeciwko totalitarnemu zniewoleniu i w obronie godności dziecka (na przykładzie Ziemi Łomżyńskiej)

Abstract

The paper refers to the accounts and memories of teachers of secret teaching in the Łomża region during the Second World War. These are archival materials from 1972–1978, published in 2019 on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Secret Teachers’ Organization. On the basis of the reports, the activities of teachers and their great and patriotic contribution to spreading the national spirit, awakening patriotism and faith among children and young people were characterized. Particular attention was paid to the opposition to the totalitarian enslavement by the German occupier and the actions of teachers to defend the dignity of children / students. They consisted in making people aware of the power of knowledge and science as the basis of independence, as well as awakening faith in the final victory and independence of the motherland. In a large part of the paper, the authentic statements of teachers of secret teaching and memories of students of secret classes are quoted, which emphasize how important it was for them to participate in the access to the benefits of education and knowledge, which would later result in a good start to life and work in the post-war reality. It is worth emphasizing the uncompromising attitude of war educators as soldiers in civilian clothes.