Original scientific paper
POPULAR SECONDARY SCHOOL EKSTENZA IN POŽEGA 1920 - 1990
Filip Potrebica
Abstract
Popular high school {ekstenza) in Požega was organised within the grammar school in June of 1920. It was of eleven such institutions in Croatia in the school year 1920/ 21. It was managed by a special board, chaired by prof. Franjo Bauer, regarding its organisation and reahsation of curriculum, the core of Požega's ekstenza formed professors of the grammar school in Požega. The main task of ekstenza was education of general public through public lectures, travelling libraries and courses for the illiterate in Požega and in Požega Valley.
At the end of 1922 a travelling library with 50 books was established in the village of Jakšić. By February of 1925, three more libraries were organised in the area. Books for these libraries were carefully chosen so that they would be both entertaining and educational,
as well as interesting to the rural population. A special Hbrary of the popular high school was located in the grammar school in Požega.
Municipal Educational and Cultural Board was established in the autumn of 1924. Its activities were similar and co-ordinated with the popular high school (ekstenza).
With Julije Kempf at its head, the Board soon became the dominant factor in popular education. Kempf also contributed to the establishment of the town's archive and museum, and collected books for the municipal library. Courses for the illiterate and general public lectures were held regularly both in Požega and in villages of the Požega Valley. More than 130 lectures were given in the period between 1925 and 1937. Just before and during the World War II that activity died down considerably lower.
After the World War II there were organised efforts to make large number of people literate through analphabetic courses. Particularly important was the work of the Popular University of Požega. It was an institution with independent financing for general, professional, ideological, political, social, economic and ethical education of adults.
With minor changes it was active as an independent institution from 1962 to 1990.
The popular high school {ekstenza) was an important factor for the development of teaching and education of the general population in the Požega area. It also contributed to the establishment and activity of independent cultural institutions, especially in the town of Požega.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
135271
URI
Publication date:
5.12.2004.
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