Doświadczenia z przeszłości: spór o reformę szkolnictwa wyższego w II RP a dyskusja dzisiejsza

Abstract

The current debate on the reform of higher education is reminiscent of the discussion in the Second Polish Republic from 1932 to 1933. At the time, the Ministry of Religions and Public Education headed by Janusz Jędrzejewicz, who was a collaborator of Józef Piłsudski, prepared a controversial project. It strengthened the role of the minister but limited the autonomy of the university and the rights of students. The academic milieu was galvanized. Professors wrote statements of protest to convince politicians to change their minds. Students organized strikes and demonstrations, and attacked supporters of the reform. These actions were ineffective, and in 1933 the new law on academic schools came into force. As a result, many university chairs and departments were liquidated. The minister dismissed professors who were regarded as opponents of the ‘Sanation’ regime. The law had almost no positive effect. Today it is important to ensure that the fatal errors from the 1930s are not repeated.