The Role of Student Cooperatives in Education in Poland in the 21st Century

Abstract

Consumerism and globalization characterizing 21st century societies restrict the freedom of choice of the consumer and the citizen. These phenomena, however, did not deprive people of the desire to influence their own lives and to follow the values of self-help and solidarity with one's neighbour. The cooperative is a proven tool for realizing the idea of civil society. In particular, student cooperatives in Poland have demonstrated their impact on education and youth upbringing, entrepreneurial attitudes and participation in democracy at the beginning of the 20th century. At present, this phenomenon revives. In spite of the prevailing attitudes of rivalry and individualism in schools, actions common to the good of the public are promoted. The aim of the article is to identify the role of student cooperatives in the 21st century in education and upbringing, the shaping of entrepreneurial attitudes and the value of work and democracy in Poland. The objective was achieved through a survey conducted in primary and secondary schools in Podlaskie Voivodeship. An analysis was also made of the data from the following websites: Foundation for Development of Student Cooperative, National Cooperative Council and Civic Education Center. Literature and results of student cooperative research were also reviewed in order to get acquainted with current state of knowledge on this topic and to identify important gaps in student cooperative research in Podlaskie voivodship. The results of the research confirm the historical experience of student cooperatives in Poland as a tool in education in general and education of youth in the 21st century. The activity of students in a cooperative contributes to the absorption of market principles, the basics of marketing, and this market orientation facilitates their later start in the labor market. A cooperative shape a civic attitude by indicating that the goal of the action is the good of the community, the action in the group, the sense of community, responsibility, a sense of trust in others. The involvement of teachers as cooperative careers, who are close to cooperative ideas, determines the creation and development of student cooperatives. The lack of regulation in this area despite the support of the ``adult{''} cooperatives is a barrier to the activity of student cooperatives in Poland.