Iosif Patriciu and the School Inspection in Moldavia (Mid Nineteenth Century)

Abstract

Abstract This paper takes on the role of reconstructing Iosif Patriciu’s case during his mandate as the deputy general inspector of schools from Moldavia (autumn 1851-summer 1852). Overlooked by literature, he quickly arose, becoming a Latin, Arithmetics, and History teacher at the Codreanu School in Barlad by passing the exam, in October 1846, and later, the director of Internat in Iaşi and a member & secretary for the School Council. As a deputy general inspector of schools, he proved to be a striking opponent for all the teachers who made a habit out of skipping classes or treated their job superficially, as mentioned in the reports sent by the Department of Education (Departamentul Învăţăturilor Publice). He proposed solutions to lower the high rate of pupil absenteism with the School Council, using German law as a reference. Iosif Patriciu had to manage a challenging collaboration with the Department’s director, Grigore Cuza, because of misunderstandings while enforcing new curriculum in primary and secondary classes. His mandate ended when the new inspector general of schools, August Treboniu Laurian, arrived in Iaşi, with whom he will have worked closely until the beginning of 1858.