Education and Art in Soviet Russia/Document 5
As an example, one of many, to show the operation of the Soviet principle in the educational matters of portions of the country, the following document (Document No. 5) will illustrate the methods of the Presidium of the Moscow Soviet of Workers' Deputies.
DOCUMENT No. 5
Regulation of the Presidium of the Moscow Soviet of
Workmen's Deputies, Dated May 15th, 1918
Concerning organization of a Section of People's Education.
Supplementing the regulation of the Presidium of the M. S. W. D. of May 11th, the following rulings have been adopted:
1. The Section of People's Education of the Moscow Soviet of Workmen's Deputies is an organ unifying and directing the activities of all cultural-educational and artistic-educational institutions, excepting those which have a State-wide importance.
Therefore the jurisdiction of the Section extends not merely over institutions directly subsidized by the Soviet, but also over those belonging to private individuals and bodies.
2. The Section is headed by a collegium appointed by the Moscow S. W. D., with a membership of 5 persons and 2 candidates.
3. The Section is divided into 3 sub-sections: (a) school, (b) artistic-educational, and (c) educational institutions.
In turn the sub-sections have the following sub-divisions: (a) school section—pre-school, elementary school; secondary and higher vocational education; courses for adults and youths; sanitary science schools, and auxiliary institutions (museums, objects for school accommodations, moving pictures and courses for instructors, etc.); artistic-educational—theatre, music and plastic arts; (b) educational sub-section—libraries, clubs and people's houses.
The above mentioned list of sub-sections, sections and sub-divisions is not necessarily an exhaustive one: new sub-divisions and sections may be formed to meet a new demand, depending upon the specialization and development of the undertaking.
4. An advisory board, which includes representatives from all sub-sections and divisions, is established at the Collegium, and all questions involving the jurisdiction of two or more sub-sections or divisions, as well as questions the Collegium may deem it necessary to discuss, are submitted to the board for approval.
5. There is also established at the Collegium an advisory organ—a Soviet of collegiates' representatives in charge of people's education from regional Soviets of Workmen's Deputies; representatives of the Soviet, sub-sections and divisions, and in case of absence of such—representatives of workers from a given branch of activity, directors of sections, representatives of workmen's organizations—Central Labor Co-operative and Central Bureau of trade unions.
6. An advisory organ is established at each sub-section—a Soviet which includes representatives from regional sections (one from each), directors of divisions comprising the sub-section and those selected from the reserve.
7. Similar Soviets are established at various sections comprising representatives from regional Soviets of Workmen's Deputies, representatives of workers from various branches of activities, directors of divisions and sub-divisions and those selected by preference from the reserve; for sections insufficiently developed, in place of Soviets, it is permissible to establish committees elected by the Soviet of the sub-section.
8. All these Soviets work regularly, meeting on appointed dates. Besides, twice or thrice a year a general meeting of all Soviets, sections, sub-sections and branches, is called for discussion of questions of principle relating to organization of educational work among the people in the cities.
9. Direct supervision of current work of sub-divisions and divisions is divided between the members of Collegiums and officials especialiy invited by the Collegium.
10. Detailed definition of the jurisdiction of each sub-section and sections is determined by rules of institutions, drawn up by the Collegium.
11. Similar branches of people's education are organized in different localities, with corresponding sub-sections and divisions, in accordance with an instruction drawn up by the section in charge of people's education.
12. Direct supervision of cultural-educational institutions is divided between the capitals and the provinces to correspond with the regional or municipal importance of an institution.
13. Further changes in the present organization, as for instance: establishment of new sub-sections and divisions, or changing the jurisdiction of those already existing, can be introduced only after they have been approved by the presidium of the Moscow Soviet of Workmen's Deputies.
The following list of names of the comrades comprising the section of people's education has been approved by the presidium:
1. M. N. Pokrovsky
2. A. J. Piskunov
3. S. J. Mitzkovitch
4. V. P. Obuch
5. V. M. Fritche
Candidates:
1. P. M. Lebedev-Kepzhentzev
2. Kazarov.
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