Ten Days That Shook the World · Chapter
From the Commission on Public Education Attached to the Central City Duma explained
The chapter presents a proclamation from the Commission on Public Education urging workers and workingwomen to organize against a teachers' strike, which sides with the bourgeoisie against the Workers' and Peasants' Government.
What happens
The chapter presents a proclamation from the Commission on Public Education urging workers and workingwomen to organize against a teachers' strike, which sides with the bourgeoisie against the Workers' and Peasants' Government. It calls for forming parents' committees, passing resolutions, organizing protest meetings, and arranging children's entertainments independently, while demanding schools reopen as scheduled by the Duma.
Themes in this chapter
Class Conflict and Polarization
The teachers' strike is framed as siding with the bourgeoisie against the workers' government, highlighting the deepening class divide.
Workers' Control and Economic Transformation
The call for proletarian organizations to control schools exemplifies the push for workers' oversight in public education.
Key passages
“Comrades Workingmen and Workingwomen! A few days before the holidays, a strike has been declared by the teachers of the public schools. The teachers side with the bourgeoisie against the Workers’ and Peasants’ Government.”
The Commission announces that teachers have gone on strike just before the holidays, aligning with the bourgeoisie against the workers' government.
Sets the context of the strike as a political act against the Bolshevik regime.
“Comrades, organise parents’ committees and pass resolutions against the strike of the teachers. Propose to the Ward Soviets of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Deputies, the Trade Unions, the Factory-Shop and Party Committees, to organise protest meetings.”
Workers are urged to form parent committees, pass resolutions opposing the strike, and coordinate protests with local soviets, unions, and party committees.
Outlines the recommended actions to counter the teachers' strike.
“Arrange with your own resources Christmas trees and entertainments for the children, and demand the opening of the schools, after the holidays, at the date which will be set by the Duma.”
Workers should independently organize holiday activities for children and insist that schools reopen on the date determined by the Duma.
Emphasizes self-reliance and adherence to Duma authority in education matters.
“Comrades, strengthen your position in matters of public education, insist on the control of the proletarian organisations over the schools.”
The Commission calls on workers to consolidate their influence in education and demand that proletarian organizations oversee the schools.
Reinforces the goal of proletarian control over public education.