ACADEMIC GYMNASIUM IN LVIV: 1849-1914

Abstract

Academic Gymnasium was found in October 1784 at the University of Lviv. This is a state secondary educational institution of the humanitarian direction. The graduates-maturists had the opportunity to continue their studies at the university after its completion. The Academic Gymnasium was the oldest gymnasium with the Ukrainian language of instruction. The information concerning the gymnasium's organization's functioning and principles till 1848 was lost due to revolutionary events. We can find the data about the organization of the institution's functioning, the number of teachers and students, and their social origin from 1849. At the same time, this date coincides with the secondary school's reform in 1849 based on the «Organizational Essay of High Schools and Actual Schools of Austria» and the «Normative Plan of Education for Gymnasia», which functioned until 1910 with minor changes. Exactly these normative documents regulated the functioning of the gymnasium - the organization of the educational process, the language of teaching, the priority of disciplines, the number and load of teachers, the organization of extra-curricular activities of high school students. Since 1907, the gymnasium is reorganized into the Main Gymnasium due to the number of students' growth and moving into a newly built building on L. Sapieha street and the Branch in the premises of the Narodnyi dim (People's Hall). The educational process in the gymnasium was carried out based on ministerial plans. By the end of the 20th century, more than 60% of the educational time was spent on learning languages, and the natural and mathematical cycle reached 25%, which indicates the humanitarian direction of gymnasium preparation. The situation was changed by the curriculum for classical gymnasiums in 1909, according to which the disciplines of the natural-mathematical cycle were synchronized with the requirements of universities. The article's main thesis is that during the 1849-1914 years, the Tsissar-Royal Academic Gymnasium in Lviv developed into a leading secondary educational institution. Mostly Ukrainian Greek Catholics, natives from Halychyna, studied here. The headmasters of the gymnasium were experienced teachers, skilled administrators. During the second half of the 19th century - at the beginning of the 20th century, the gymnasium was headed by Franz Brugger (1848-1858), Ivan Piontkovskyi (1858-1868), Vasyl Ilnytskyi (1868-1892 ), Edvard Kharkevych (1892-1911) and Illia Kokorudz (1911-1927). The teaching staff was increasing quantitatively and qualitatively. Careful selection, education requirements, and teaching methods provided the gymnasium with qualified specialists and responsible officials. The institution's educational process was provided by about 23-25 ​teachers, 70% of whom were gymnasium professors. Teachers of gymnasium conducted classes on a high professional level with students and created original textbooks in their native language, literature, history, and geography. Many teachers of the gymnasium and later graduates became well-known socio-political figures, scientists, and artists.So, Academic Gymnasium in Lviv is a secondary educational institution of the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It functioned following Austrian secondary school legislation. The Academic Gymnasium, being in the structure of the Lviv University, provided it with well-prepared entrants. Students received a profound knowledge of normative disciplines in the gymnasium and a good national and religious education. The heads of the educational institution were experienced teachers and organizers who took care of the proper provision of the educational institution with teaching staff. The educational and methodological literature was supported, developed, and implemented in the educational process, together with teachers and public figures. Teachers of the gymnasium constantly worked on self-education and were active socio-political leaders. Keywords: Academic Gymnasium, organization, Krajova Szkolna Rada (Region School Council), teachers, teaching process, students, educational legislation.