Towarzystwo Salezjańskie wobec potrzeb szkolnictwa zawodowego w okresie międzywojennym

Abstract

In 1918 Poland regained independence. Reconstruction of the country encountered a lot of problems. Education constituted one of the areas that required a lot of work and expenditure and which suffered from shortage in all its spheres ‒ it lacked structures, experience, textbooks and, in the first place, competent staff. The Salesian Society, which had been present on the Polish territories of Austrian seizure from 1898, actively took part in the country’s reconstruction processes. Comprehensive secondary schools were the first object of Salesian activity. Due to a high number of war orphans, it was also a prerequisite to open orphanages and children’s homes. The Salesians realized that one of the most effective methods of bringing help to poor young people was to enable them to acquire a profession. Therefore, following the indications of their Founder, they commenced organizing vocational training. Establishment of the first vocational school in Oświęcim and consequent opening of other institutions of that type resulted in naming the Salesians as the order of “craft”.