Flying University facts for kids

The Flying University (in Polish, Uniwersytet Latający) was a secret school in Warsaw, Poland. It first operated from 1885 to 1905 when Poland was controlled by the Russian Empire. Later, it was brought back between 1977 and 1981 during the time of communist rule in Poland.

The main goal of the Flying University was to give young Poles a chance to get a good education. This was important because the rulers at the time often tried to stop Polish culture and learning. In the 19th century, these secret schools helped Poles resist attempts by Russia and Prussia to make them forget their own language and history. Later, during the communist era, the Flying University offered classes that were free from government control and censorship.

History of the Secret University

Why Was the Flying University Needed?

After the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was divided up by its neighbors in the late 1700s, parts of Poland, including Warsaw, came under Russian control. Life for Poles became harder, especially under Russian rule. After Polish uprisings in 1830 and 1863, Russia tightened its grip even more.

The Russian rulers tried to make Poles adopt Russian culture and language. This made it very difficult for Poles to get a higher education in their own language. Also, women had very few chances to study at universities. Teaching about Polish language, Catholicism, or Polish history was often difficult or even against the law.

How the Flying University Started

To fight against these restrictions, secret classes began in Warsaw in 1882. These classes were held in private homes. At first, they were mainly for women. In 1885, a student named Jadwiga Szczawińska helped bring different study groups together. This created the Flying University. It was a secret, illegal university open to both men and women.

The university was called "Flying" because its classes often changed locations. This helped them avoid being caught by the Russian authorities. Students paid a small fee, which helped pay the teachers and buy books for a secret library. The courses usually lasted 5 to 6 years, with 8 to 11 hours of classes each week. They covered subjects like social sciences, teaching methods, languages and history, and natural sciences.

Many of Poland's best thinkers and teachers taught at the Flying University. These included important liberals and socialists. One of the most famous students was Maria Skłodowska-Curie, who later won the Nobel Prize. Other well-known students included the writer Zofia Nałkowska and the children's doctor and writer Janusz Korczak.

Becoming a Legal School

Around 1905–1906, the Flying University was finally able to become a legal institution. It changed its name to the Society of Science Courses (Towarzystwo Kursów Naukowych). This happened because the countries that controlled Poland were getting ready for World War I and wanted to gain Polish support.

After Poland became independent again in 1918, the Society of Science Courses turned into a private university called the Free Polish University (Wolna Wszechnica Polska). It even opened a branch in another Polish city, Łódź, in 1927.

During World War II

When Nazi Germany occupied Poland during World War II, they banned Poles from attending universities. However, many university teachers used their experience to continue secret teaching, just like in the days of the Flying University.

The University Returns in Communist Poland

After World War II, the Free Polish University in Warsaw was not immediately reopened. However, its branch in Łódź became the start of the University of Łódź.

During the time of communist rule in Poland (1945–1989), the government controlled education very strictly. They even censored parts of Polish history that showed conflicts with Russia. Because of this, the idea of the Flying University was brought back.

Starting in 1977, a new Flying University and Society of Science Courses began. It was supported by Polish dissidents, who were people who disagreed with the government. Many students and teachers of this new Flying University faced harassment from the police. Despite this, it continued until 1981, when martial law was declared in Poland, which stopped its activities.

See also

• Marie Curie
• Education in Poland during World War II

Images for kids

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  Jadwiga Szczawińska, a key figure in uniting the early secret education groups into the Flying University.