The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-10-07
BY WILLIAM PECK

OCTOBER, 1881, on the outskirts of
" the Communist municipality of
Villejuif near Paris; small mounds
and marshes, few shabby wooden
novels, meagre vegetable patches,
large garbage heaps. A plain stretch
ing as far as the eye could see. 1t was
commonplace waSteland, as is SO
often found beyond outer suburbs.
When the Communist municipality
talked of building a school on this
ground, their political opponents
laughed, shrugged their shoulders and
said "the frogs school,"
July, 1888, on the outskirts Of the
Communist municipality Of Villejuif,
near Paris: On an elevation two mod
ern white buildings with large, long
windows stretching from one end to
the other, buildings whose beauty lies
in simplicity and practicability; be-
tween the buildings large avenue Of
trees, and on the other side a playing
field
Many Obstacles Overcome
Innumerable obstacles constantly
presented themselves. The first task
was to collect the money for construc-
ton. This was done by Paul Valiant
Couturier, the mayor, and his coll
leagues. Valiant outurier is an ex-
trenaely interesting character. During
the early part Of his life he was a
member of bourgeois society He went
through the war. This emphasized to
him the evils of the present system
He joined the Communist Party. His
strong personality, his ability for ac-
ton, his assiduous work soon made
him mayor of Villejuif He trans
ferred this village of workers into a
strong Communist municipality. In
five years the money was collected,
the plans were made, the eonstruc-
ton was started. There were frequent
hindrances and delays caused by the
opposition of the BOURGEOIS state. The
visit to the French Minister of Edu-.
cation on the opening day had to be
handled with great delicacy. Finally,
the school was completed.
In the month of July buses SO
crowded that their bodies seemed to
be falling apart, left the southern
gate of Paris bound for Villejuif. They
rolled swiftly through the closer sub
llrbs, groups of decrepit tenements.
Soon the buses approached the school.
A new spirit prevailed. Great red flags
were waving over the sports field, peo-
pie were crowding through the gates.
There were 10000 visitors before the
day was over. The spectators were
amazed at the perfection of tn school.
At the exit some one exclaimed gay
ly; 1T is no longer unfortunate to be
poor"
Press Ignored School
The International was sung with
Tremendous enthusiasm. All the COM
rades present recognized the great
ness of the accomplishment. The press
mentioned the opening of the school
IN small column on rear page but
they were careful not to emphasize
the fact that the first truly modern
school in France was built by the
Communist municipality of Villejuif.
Not in the whole Of France is there
a school in which every detail is ex-
ecuted to such perfection as in this
School built by Comrade Andre Lurcat
and his colleagues for the children
OF workers. The class rooms are deco
rated with the greatest simplicity. A
nigh ceiling, a window stretching from
one end of the room to the other on
potn SIDES; light tan desks, a long
blackboard and flowers.
Most Modern In France
Most remarkable of all is the din
ing hall adorned with paintings OF
the different forms of nature in
bright shades of red, blue, green and
brown. This work was done by Com
rade Jean Lurcat, brother of the ar
chitect, and one of the most talented
contemporary French painters. No de-
tail is overlooked. The floor of the
covered playground is covered with
rubber so that the children won't
slip. There is running water in all
parts of the building, drying of hands |
by hot air in order to avoid the con-
tagion Of towels; showers; a kitchen |
with all the latest electrical equip |
nent, radio and a movie machine |
n every class room; a vegetable gar
den; a drawing studio with indirect |
lighting; gymnasium able to be used |
for movies and theatre; a solarium
decorated with flowers and spacious
quarters for the faculty.
1t is interesting to contrast the aims
and methods of this school with
Junior high school in the United
States today. The aim of a junior
nigh school is to prepare child to
oe good member of bourgeois So
,iety. This is accomplished by having
! grading system from l to 100 per
'ent, arousing every shade of the in
'tinct of competition. The grade
depends on how well the pupil repro
iuces the facts in the text books and
hose that the teacher has told him.
At home he Is told that he must
'eat his neighbor in grades. The re-
'ult IS memorizing of facts. The
'upil who is the best parrot receives
he best grade. 1t Is a con-
inual contest among the pupils, a
high grade being the only attrac-
ion. The children are taught to deal
n the same way with grades as with
noney in later life.
The mayor of the municipality of
'illejuif, Paul Valiant Couturier.