My second grade class |
Children had
to stand when called upon to speak, or when asked a question. If they took
notes, hands were busy writing. When asked to pay attention to the teacher,
they had to keep their hands behind their backs in a very uncomfortable, back-numbing
position, leaning against the wooden bench behind. If anybody entered the
classroom, the entire student body had to stand and greet them according to rank.
The word ‘comrade’ teacher or
professor, followed by name, was required to be used at all times.
Modesty and protection
of the honor of the classroom, of the school, of the communist party had to be
a very important goal of learning. Nobody was allowed to use hateful and
insulting language, to exhibit nationalism, superstition, religiousness, or mysticism.
If anybody failed in the subject of school discipline, the entire student body
was to rebuke that student and take a stance against the offender. Parents were
called at school, reprimanded, and embarrassed in front of all the other
parents present as inadequate members of the socialist society.
A student’s
duty was to come prepared to school every day to answer any questions on that
day’s subjects. They were to present, when asked, their Student I.D. Book which
contained their entire school history, grades on various subjects, tests, and
whether they passed a subject, failed a subject, and what grade they received.
This Student I.D. Book (“Carnet de Elev” in Romanian), the size of a passport,
had to be presented upon request to any teacher, professor, teacher of behavior
(“diriginte”), school director, parent, guardian, and after each notation made
inside by school officials. The Student I.D. Book had to be kept clean.
Students had
to enter the school quietly, in single file, wearing their uniforms, their
matriculation numbers on their sleeves, on hats, and on their chests, hair
combed, braided, tied with a white ribbon, wearing black or brown shoes, and
white knee highs or heavy-gauge cotton panty hose. No stockings, makeup,
shaving, or jewelry were allowed. Each pupil had to occupy their seat
immediately and remain seated in silence until the teacher arrived.
Outside and
inside the classroom bad and insulting language was forbidden as it was
considered hate speech. Students were encouraged to be honest, fair, and
courageous in public, in line with the communist party platform. They were to
obey traffic signs, respect the elderly, those younger, the handicapped, and
lend a hand when asked.
Students
were not allowed to attend shows, marches, and public rallies that were not
age-appropriate or sanctioned by the school or by the communist party. To ask
or answer questions, each student had to raise a hand first; they could not
speak unless told to do so.
They were
expected to help with domestic chores and care for younger brothers and
sisters. A school inspector or teacher would occasionally visit each student’s
home to check on their behavior and the family’s habits.
Nobody was
allowed to leave the classroom without the teacher’s approval, not even for a
bathroom break. During a 4-6 hour school day, two breaks were given, a 10-minute
break and a 20-minute break, and no lunch was provided. No students were ever
bussed, everyone walked to school alone or in a group of other students.
If too many
unexcused absences were recorded, a student was made to repeat the school year.
If a student failed a class, he/she also had to repeat the year. If anybody in
high school became pregnant, which was quite rare and morally frowned upon, the
girl and the father were expelled and forced to finish their education during
night school, separate from the more rigorous day schools. There was no daycare
provided for out-of-wedlock student moms.
My Student
I.D. Book had been lost long time ago, having left it behind when I came to the
United States. But I still have my diplomas with the picture of a little girl
with pig tails tied with white bows, innocently smiling. It was a time when we
believed that everyone on the planet lived the same way we did.
Copyright: Ileana Johnson 2015
Copyright: Ileana Johnson 2015
Note
Fortunately,
Andreea Lupsor, a young Romanian writer for Historia.ro, found a high school Student I.D. Book from “Liceul
Mihai Viteazu” stamped with the school year 1964-1965.
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