The labor world., 1922-07-01

enced politically without his know
ing it. ....
Each workman's university has
its own democratic organization, but
there are connections between some
of them and greater connection be-
tween all is desirable. The cabinet
Of public instruction in Dresden i.
the center of all the workman's uni
versities in Saxony. To give, the read
er some insight into these orzaniza-
tions I will describe the one in Dres-
den, of which DR.. Mockrauer gave
me most particulars. The Workman's
University in Dresden is an associa-
ton upon which the town has great
influence. The town assists the as
sociation with money and lets it
have schoolrooms in which the
classes are held and watches that
the teaching is neither confessional
nor party-political. The Marie of
Dresden is the president of the as
soclation. A business committee gets
up the curriculum and engages the
teachers. Then there are so-called
"confidants," workmen-studentst that
are specially intelligent and trust
worthy. They have the task to in
terest those people of their own
Glass; that are more likely to bene-
tit by the teaching than others. It
is not thought desirable to try to get
many pupils, but to pick the pupils
and to give the advantages of edu-
cation to those that are ready for it.
1t is neither thought desirable to
withdraw those that get more cul-
tured from their own class. On the
contrary, those that get the benefit
of more education are supposed to
use 1t to bring more culture into
their class. They are not only ex-
pected to receive but to pass on.
A Popular Method.
The teaching system that is pre-
ferred is done in so-called working
associations" small groups. where
teachers and pupils work together
In a friendly way. In these classes
any pupil may interrupt the teach
er's lecture to ask questions and
cause a debate. The teacher himself
som etimes interrupts his lecture so
as to give occasion to discussions. It
happens, also. that other teachers
come to these classes and begin to
argue with the lecturer. bringing
thus about most useful debates in
which the students, of course, are
supposed to join. These working as
soclatlons meet also to read books
together and to discuss them. There
is strong. feeling Of comradeship
in these classes. not only between
teacher and students, but also be-
tween the students themselves.
The workman's universities are
everywhere well attended. In Dres-
den one counts between 5000 to 1000
students, rs per cent Of them be.
longing to the working classes. A
good many are subalterns and en-
ployes, the rest come from the mid
die classes.
It cannot be denied that a system
like the Workman's University enc
counters certain difficulties. The task
Of the teachers is not easy, consider
ing that they have pupils of quite
different ages and education in ones
and the same class. Besides, it Is a
disadvantage that the classes are
held in the evening, where the work
man Is not fresh, especially in these
times Of extreme difficulties in liv-
ng and OF party politics. But there
so much good will and much real
enthusiasm on all sides and, on the
whole, the difficulties are overcome
and the work is already proving a
blessing.
OF great interest are also the So
called morning celebrations" which
are held once every term on q Sun
day morning. They are not religious
services, but the aim is distinctly to
ually. MASTERPIECES of literature are
read and good music is given. These
morning celebrations are always
crowded, as no student would miss
them If he could possibly help it.