Matematikas Mečislovas Mačernis (1897–1968) – didaktikos mokslo pirmeivis Lietuvoje

Abstract

Respublikos pedagoginis institutas (RPI), įkurtasis 1935 m. Klaipėdoje, tuomet įkūnijo švietimo pažangą Lietuvoje. Nepriklausomos Lietuvos laikmetyje ši viena jauniausiųjų aukštųjų mokyklų ne tik įsipareigojo praktinei veiklai, t.y. rengė aukštos kvalifikacijos pradžios mokyklų mokytojus, bet ir ėmėsi mokslinės veiklos plėtotės misijos. Tokių sudėtingų uždavinių vykdymui į pirmųjų pedagoginio instituto kūrėjų gretas švietimo ministerija pakvietė patyrusį pedagogą Mečislovą (Mečį) Mačernį, spėjusį pasižymėti tiek tiesiogiai mokytojų ruošimo baruose, tiek publikuojant jų tobulėjimui skirtus tekstus. Šiuo straipsniu tikimasi prisidėti prie M. Mačernio, kaip didaktikos mokslo pirmeivio Lietuvoje nušvietimo ir jo novatoriškumo įtvirtinimo mūsų pedagogikos istorijoje

The National Pedagogical Institute (NPI), established in 1935, ensured the progress of education in Lithuania. NPI being one of the newest schools of higher education in the period of independent Lithuania committed itself not only to practical activity, i.e. preparing high professional quality teachers for primary schools, but to development of scientific activity, too. The Ministry of Education invited an experienced pedagogue, famous in preparing future teachers and the author of texts designed for teachers’ professional development, Mečislovas (Mečys) Mačernis who would work alongside with other founders of NPI for implementation of its double mission. M. Mačernis was born in the vicinity of the town Seda (Gedrimai village in Alsėdžiai parish) in Lithuania’s region Samogitia. In 1919, M. Mačernis finished Vilnius Lithuanian Gymnasium, and in 1920–1923 he studied mathematics and physics at Berlin University and Königsberg University. Later M. Mačernis was a teacher and director at Tauragė Teacher Training School. In 1930, he obtained the right, which was equivalent to the right of higher school graduates, to work as a teacher at high school. M. Mačernis could teach introductory subjects into philosophy and pedagogy. In 1935, M. Mačernis was invited to work as an inspector at NPI, and in 1937 he became NPI Director. In the period from 1935 to 1940, which was full of changes, M. Mačernis taught general methods (didactics), methods of geography, history and nature studies, methods of calculus and geometry, mathematics. Alongside with teaching a number of subjects to future teachers, M. Mačernis was active in science and development of pedagogical process. It is testified by M. Mačernis texts, i.e. scientific articles in NPI research collection “Pedagogical Chronicle”, the journal “Works of Education”, the books “Didactics” (3 parts, 1939–1940), and “Methods of Calculus and Geometry” (1940). [...]