Women’s Teachers’ Colleges in Kaunas in 1918–1936: Features of National and Civil Education of Future Teachers Cover Image

Tautinis ir pilietinis ugdymas Kauno mergaičių mokytojų seminarijose 1918–1936 m.
Women’s Teachers’ Colleges in Kaunas in 1918–1936: Features of National and Civil Education of Future Teachers

Author(s): Mindaugas Balkus
Subject(s): History
Published by: Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas
Keywords: Kaunas, Lietuva; mokytojų seminarijos; mokytojai; švietimas; tautiškumas; pilietiškuma; Lithuania; Teacher Seminaries; Teachers; Education; Nationality; Citizenship

Summary/Abstract: The article analyses national and civil education of pupils at women’s teachers’ colleges administered by Saulės Society and Cultural Society of Lithuanian Women (since 1932, Congregation of Sister Servants of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus), which operated in Kaunas in 1918–1936. The analysis has revealed that most attention in the programme of study for history (Lithuanian history) was paid to the history of Grand Duchy of Lithuania (13th–16th century), while the period of the second half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century (Lithuanian national revival) was mainly covered in the Lithuanian Language and Literature classes. Society and State Science provided the basic knowledge on the theory of economy, Lithuanian law history and the Constitution of Lithuania. Local lore studies focused on a complex introduction to the living area (the study of objects, environmental science, local lore, and earth science). Both teachers and pupils of the colleges contributed to the preparation of state festivals and various commemorations of anniversaries organized at the women’s teachers’ colleges. The teachers would give lectures on a particular occasion, and the pupils would read poetry, play musical instruments, and perform plays related to the celebration. National and civil education of the pupils of teachers’ colleges was implemented by participating in various youth organizations (the Lithuanian Catholic Federation “Ateitis,” Vilnius Liberation Union, Lithuanian Scouts Association, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, etc.). Since 1930, the pupils of the colleges could officially participate only in scout activities.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 14
  • Page Range: 79-91
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Lithuanian