Meritorious Teacher Of The People's Republic Of Poland.

[Taz]

(Zasluzony Nauczyciel Polskiej Rzeczypospolitej Ludowej)

This is one of the professional titles of honor awarded firstly by the State Council and then from 1989 by the President of the Republic.
These were important awards and in the rankings follow directly after the uppermost classes of orders.
They were conferred sparingly although at the moment no figures of the number of awardings are availiable.
These Honorary titles were abolished in 1992, but their holders kept the right to use the titles afterwards. Apart from the title itself, the holder was entitled to wear a special badge as a visual token.

The Meritorious Teacher of the People's Republic of Poland was instituted by act of Parliament of August 4, 1956.
It was conferred to school and university teachers for long and outstanding work in the field of education. The holder of the title is entitled to wear a honorary badge of the title on the right side of the chest.

The badge is 43 mm in diameter and on the white enameled ring is the inscription ZASLUZONY NAUCZYCIEL : PRL.
The Suspension is a metal bar, 34 x 8 mm, enameled blue with golden side pinstripes. Through the center runs a gilt device from which the badge suspends; the reverse side has a safety pin for mounting.

Here is a photo from Al-Muell of this attractive award.

Eddie.

[d-riemer]

The Peoples Republic Poland issued 14 Meritorious Title Awards between 1950 and 1987, awarded in quantities between 38 (printer) and 4230 (teacher):
1950 Miner (1590), 1955 Steelworker (634), 1955 Railroad (1001), 1956 Teacher (4230), 1968 Shipyard (381), 1978 Military Pilot (110), 1979 Physician (354), 1979 Health (1645), 1982 Dock Worker (65), 1985 Energy (128), 1985 Farmer (58), 1986 Culture (77), 1986 Printer (38), 1987 Justice (58). The years of the various awards illustrate the emphasis on different areas of a changing economy.

[Al-muell]

After years, I have managed to take a better photos of the piece and also find the documents - the award doc and the large certificate.

[Al-muell]

The large certificate. Interestingly, unlike most of the award docs in post-war Poland, this certificate was hand-signed by the President of the State Council.
Also the paper quality is a lot better than on any post-war doc I have ever seen.

[charlet]

hello gentlemen, can I ask if this kind of group is expensive? As a teacher and amateur of communist Poland, I find it interesting. And following my Oberleitner, it is the most common, but on a soviet scale it is a scarce thing (4300 exemplaries)...

[Al-muell]

Not long ago I have seen the badge (no docs) for sale for 250PLN, which is not much for something that rare. I have never seen the docs for sale though.

BTW - here's the commendation for the title to prof. Podoski (from Gdańsk TWP archives). Not sure if he got the title.

Full translation to follow, but in short, he was recommended because of his long-term work as a teacher and successes in education.

Two years must have passed since I promised a translation, so here it is. Memory is non my strongest point.
The document is a copy, so there are no gap names:
"[to be awarded:] HONORARY TITLE "Meritorious Teacher Of The People's Republic Of Poland"
Kazimierz Henryk Podoski
[son of] Bohdan and Maria
[surname before wedding]N/A
[earlier surname] Didn't change

[Born in] Warsaw 15th July 1923

[Home address:] Gdańsk /postal code/ Piwna (beer) st. 11/12 - 1
[occupation] University of Gdańsk, professor, headmaster of the institute of the Po[litical science]

[party membership before 1939] - [1939-1945] - [after 1945] PZPR

[education]higher, title of doctor habilitowany [higher than PHD]
[military service] - didn't serve, private of the reserve.
[has served any sentences] Was not punished by law
[Earlier awards:]Gold Cross of merit 1956 - for the whole work in science and non-profit work
Cavalier's Cross of the order of the Revival of Poland 1970 - for non profit work /in TWP/
Bronze "For merits to the state defence" medal 1972 - for educational work [in the army?]
KEN medal 1973 - for work in the committee for [???]

Kazimierz Małkowski, secretary of the Voivodeship Directorate of the TWP in Gdańsk
Gdańsk, 17th July 1975"

"Prof. dr hab. Kazimierz Podoski is a meritorious activist of the TWP, a member since 1955 and president of the Voivodeship directorate since 1964.
Scientific worker of the University of Gdańsk, dean of the Humanist department, headmaster of the institute of the Political science. Extraordinary pedagogist, organiser of the non-profit educational activity /Committee of experts for creating a report on the condition of education in the PRP, work for organising cultural-educational life in the municipalities, education of adults and other/
Scientific-research worker
Since 1949 a lecturer, author of numerous works on Economy
Populariser of knowledge and lecturer of the TWP. A dedicated tutor and friend of the Youth.
By his whole professional and non-profit work he fully deserved to receive the title "Meritorious Teacher Of The People's Republic Of Poland"
Voivodeship directorate of the TWP in Gdańsk
Gdańsk 17th July 1975"