The article presents a review focusing on key issues discussed within the disciple of moral education. It is regarded as a subsystem of education policy, and in a wider sense, public policy. It shows the main phenomenon, trends, ongoing discussions as well as conceptual disputes in two Anglo-Saxon countries as well as in Poland. The type and content of the article results from the fact that the Polish scientific literature almost lacks the texts dedicated to moral education. This kind of issues is partially analysed with pedagogy but its conceptual frame is different from that of public policy. The latter is focused on the school perspective and its potential to influence students' attitudes and values.
The article is a review of ways of thinking and concepts available in the literature that are the basis for creating school syllabi of moral education. It describes what axiological and anthropological assumptions and psychological theories those syllabi are based on and analyses selected studies that evaluate their effectiveness and impact on the moral formation of young people.
The article relates to the situation in the Polish education, where moral education is taught as two school subjects: either religious education or ethics. Although the subjects are in direct competition, essentially, they relate to the same curriculum content. The author distinguishes moral upbringing from moral education, by assuming that the upbringing is carried out mainly at home, whereas the school's aim is to support the skills of making moral choices by the young generation. Therefore, the school cannot be blamed for pupils' moral condition because it is shaped by the home environment, which is understood in a wide sense here.
The following debate took place on September 24, 2019 at the Warsaw School of Economics. Its subject was the issues of upbringing / moral education in schools. On the other hand, the aim was to outline a diagnosis of the situation in this respect, i.e. how schools cope with the implementation of educational functions and moral formation of students. At the beginning, the educational functions of schools were distinguished from the didactic functions (transmission of knowledge from teachers to students), leaving the latter to be discussed on another occasion. The issue of ways of creating a better balance in schools between the two functions they perform: education and transfer of knowledge (didactics) was also discussed.
This paper discusses Helena Radlinska's (1879-1954) international activity. Helena Radlińska was the initiator of social pedagogy in Poland but her activities abroad in 1918-1939 is not yet known. Her works, their scope, aims and directions were interconnected with the largest european centres of education: International Congress of Moral Education in London, International Office of Education in Geneva, International Leuge of New Socialization in Geneva, Association of International Conferences of Adult Education in England and International Conferences of Social Services in Paris. Her engagement for many years in these organizations led to multiple social and institutional achievements together with scientific, methodological and methodical developments. Along this route the main life achievement in Radlinska's life- the development of a discipline of social pedaogogy, connects the development of individuals with insvestment in social and cultural spehere of life. Radlinska's activity makes Warsaw of her times one of the core places of international cooperation in the field of education, socialisation and social work.
Hieronim Baliński's treatise on upbringing a noble boy, written in 1598, commissioned by Jan Łączyński for his son Kasper, has been used in literature for a long time. It is among the best known educational instructions the Old Polish period. Providing his guidance, Baliński showed exemplary education of a nobility boy. Baliński divided it into stages, taking into account the most important elements: religious and moral, physical and mental education. He also showed how to deal with a child and not discourage him from learning. In his opinion, religious education was of greatest importance as it was necessary for a young child to know God, His goodness, patience, mercy and love of human beings. The first stage of education was home schooling after which Baliński recommended a country school, followed by a trip abroad. A boy should take his first trip to Germany at the age of 12 and stay abroad for 2–3 years. According to Baliński, it was a prelude to the main journey which was to take place after a short stay at home. During the break, a young nobleman should be acquainted with the local law, operations of the court and the Parliament. Around the age of fifteen, a young man with a guardian appointed by his father should go abroad once again, this time to Italy, to develop his education and skills. Upon return from the trip, the young man continued education by transition to the adult life. Baliński recommended a court chancellery and military service. In the treatise he points out how a boy should behave towards other people; he also raised issues related to child nutrition and clothing. What is more, Baliński provided tips on physical development and exercises appropriate for children. The major source of Baliński's treatise was religious literature although he probably referred to Quintilian's and Mikołaj Rej's works. According to his own account, Baliński drew on his experience and numerous conversations. The ideal man, as presented by him, bears resemblance to Rej's faithful and mediocre "kind-hearted man". ; Hieronim Baliński's treatise on upbringing a noble boy, written in 1598, commissioned by Jan Łączyński for his son Kasper, has been used in literature for a long time. It is among the best known educational instructions the Old Polish period. Providing his guidance, Baliński showed exemplary education of a nobility boy. Baliński divided it into stages, taking into account the most important elements: religious and moral, physical and mental education. He also showed how to deal with a child and not discourage him from learning. In his opinion, religious education was of greatest importance as it was necessary for a young child to know God, His goodness, patience, mercy and love of human beings. The first stage of education was home schooling after which Baliński recommended a country school, followed by a trip abroad. A boy should take his first trip to Germany at the age of 12 and stay abroad for 2–3 years. According to Baliński, it was a prelude to the main journey which was to take place after a short stay at home. During the break, a young nobleman should be acquainted with the local law, operations of the court and the Parliament. Around the age of fifteen, a young man with a guardian appointed by his father should go abroad once again, this time to Italy, to develop his education and skills. Upon return from the trip, the young man continued education by transition to the adult life. Baliński recommended a court chancellery and military service. In the treatise he points out how a boy should behave towards other people; he also raised issues related to child nutrition and clothing. What is more, Baliński provided tips on physical development and exercises appropriate for children. The major source of Baliński's treatise was religious literature although he probably referred to Quintilian's and Mikołaj Rej's works. According to his own account, Baliński drew on his experience and numerous conversations. The ideal man, as presented by him, bears resemblance to Rej's faithful and mediocre "kind-hearted man".
Parental instructions of Wacław Rzewuski for his son Seweryn and daughters from the years 1754 and 1763/64 The education of younger generations had long and rich traditions in the old Polish aristocratic Rzewuski family. The domestic and foreign education of sons in particular played a major role in building the power and social position of the family. The main purpose of this article is to present hitherto unknown sources on the history of the education of members of this family. Between 1754 and 1763 (or 1764) four instructions have survived, written by Wacław Rzewuski for his son Seweryn and two daughters: Teresa Karolina and Ludwika Maria Róża. The first instruction for Seweryn Rzewuski comes from the period of his studies in Warsaw (1754), when the young magnate attended the college of Theatines. In this piece of writing, the father gives detailed instructions on the civic education for his son. This instruction contains advice on how to behave properly during social gatherings and religious ceremonies. It also refers to the rules of the moral education of the young boy. The second instruction for Seweryn contains advice on the protection of the family residences in Podhorce and Olesko and was associated with the political situation in which Waclaw Rzewuski and his sons lived in the years from 1763-1764. However, the two instructions for his daughters are a real rarity. Wacław Rzewuski paid great attention to their security and safety and very good presence. One of the instructions was devoted to the conditions and circumstances for short journeys by the daughters to a nearby church or monastery. In particular, it concerns the staff of the daughters' traveller suite. Another talks about being cautious with fire during their stay in the palace in Podhorce. Both instructions are unique documents of the realities of daily life and domestic trips by young women from the aristocratic sphere, and a father's expectations with regard to their proper behaviour and maintaining good manners. ; Parental instructions of Wacław Rzewuski for his son Seweryn and daughters from the years 1754 and 1763/64 The education of younger generations had long and rich traditions in the old Polish aristocratic Rzewuski family. The domestic and foreign education of sons in particular played a major role in building the power and social position of the family. The main purpose of this article is to present hitherto unknown sources on the history of the education of members of this family. Between 1754 and 1763 (or 1764) four instructions have survived, written by Wacław Rzewuski for his son Seweryn and two daughters: Teresa Karolina and Ludwika Maria Róża. The first instruction for Seweryn Rzewuski comes from the period of his studies in Warsaw (1754), when the young magnate attended the college of Theatines. In this piece of writing, the father gives detailed instructions on the civic education for his son. This instruction contains advice on how to behave properly during social gatherings and religious ceremonies. It also refers to the rules of the moral education of the young boy. The second instruction for Seweryn contains advice on the protection of the family residences in Podhorce and Olesko and was associated with the political situation in which Waclaw Rzewuski and his sons lived in the years from 1763-1764. However, the two instructions for his daughters are a real rarity. Wacław Rzewuski paid great attention to their security and safety and very good presence. One of the instructions was devoted to the conditions and circumstances for short journeys by the daughters to a nearby church or monastery. In particular, it concerns the staff of the daughters' traveller suite. Another talks about being cautious with fire during their stay in the palace in Podhorce. Both instructions are unique documents of the realities of daily life and domestic trips by young women from the aristocratic sphere, and a father's expectations with regard to their proper behaviour and maintaining good manners.