Productive work (GDR)
The subject productive work (PA), which was a day of instruction in socialist production (UTP) until 1970 , added a practical component to the subjects Introduction to socialist production (ESP) and technical drawing (TZ) as part of polytechnical training in the GDR . In addition, it should also serve the participating companies to attract young talent.
The pupils from the 7th grade were given work assignments in companies in the construction, agriculture or industry under production-related conditions . In some cases, the students were directly employed in the consumer goods production of the companies , which was decided in the 1970s .
The lessons were partly controversial in the population because of the stereotype of child labor attached to them.
With the political change in the GDR and the realignment of the education system, it was gradually abolished.