Difficult beginnings of secondary education „on high mountain pastures”. The Private Mixed Gimnazjum of the Polish People’s School Association in Hutsul Kosiv (1937–1939)

In the south-eastern outskirts of Poland between the wars, the school network was not developed enough to satisfy local community. That is why in Hutsul Kosiv (Kosów Huculski) in 1937, measures were taken to make it possible for schoolchildren to obtain secondary school education. The institution which was established was a private mixed secondary school (gimnazjum). The licensee was the local People’s School Association. Though the school functioned only three years, it had managed to become firmly established. The teaching staff had all the required qualifications. The number of students grew fast. The necessary facilities (the building, the library and teaching aids) were improving. Parents and caregivers showed considerable involvement in the school life. The school’s achievements were recognized when by the decision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Public Education of May 1939 the school was granted the rights of a state comprehensive secondary school as of the school year 1939/1940. Unfortunately, the decision could not take force.

Keywords: Hutsul Kosiv (Kosów Huculski), history of education, secondary school (gimnazjum), People’s School Association

In the south-eastern outskirts of Poland between the wars, the school network was not developed enough to satisfy local community. That is why in Hutsul Kosiv (Kosów Huculski) in 1937, measures were taken to make it possible for schoolchildren to obtain secondary school education. The institution which was established was a private mixed secondary school (gimnazjum). The licensee was the local People’s School Association. Though the school functioned only three years, it had managed to become firmly established. The teaching staff had all the required qualifications. The number of students grew fast. The necessary facilities (the building, the library and teaching aids) were improving. Parents and caregivers showed considerable involvement in the school life. The school’s achievements were recognized when by the decision of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Public Education of May 1939 the school was granted the rights of a state comprehensive secondary school as of the school year 1939/1940. Unfortunately, the decision could not take force.