The
denominational schools of the Batsch-Syrmien, later the Batscher
Evangelist Executives were assigned in the dean's office which the dean
presided over. Feketitsch belonged to the Crvenka dean. The
dean from 1817 to 1829 was Johann Georg Tesseni, pastor of Torschau.
He left in writing to the executives the 'institutions' of the Mountain
Superintendent, of which our executives belonged. These orders of
conduct were also written in the school minutes of the Feketitsch
Evangelist community. From this it must be deduced that the
teacher must have passed on these orders through a messenger to Vrbas,
Sekitsch, or Bajscha. Interesting points are the following:
Point 3. "It is
unfortunate that the teaching profession offers little pay as it is planned by
the executives. There may well be good reasons for this because it seemed
to be so inexpensive. Also in Feketitsch they succeeded in a 6½ Florint month's
salary advance.
Point 4. "The
church community chose a school teacher by having the candidate take an
examination before the dean and executives to determine if the teacher was
suitable for the office. The subjects to be stressed: 1) Reading
comprehension, 2) Mathematics, 3) Handwriting, 4) the main parts of Natural
History, mainly for the knowledge of the loving-kindness and wisdom of God, as
well as learning good principles that are useful in agriculture, 5) Nature,
particularly of the natural phenomenon, for the eradication of superstition and
for the instruction of the caring and ruling God, 6) Religion, 7)
Geology/Geography. Each teacher must have at least all of these books.
The student must possess at least their reader, the Lutheran catechism, book of
hymns, and the New Testament. The books could be referred from Preßburg
Bayruth or Vienna." application and in Everything will be done with practical
the mother language.
Point 14. "At no
time will the teacher be seen in the school smoking a pipe." One could
hardly imagine a teacher without a quite long pipe stem. Our old teachers
including the Reverend F. Hamel were also passionate pipe smokers.
Point 15. "The
teacher has to keep the schoolroom clean and in the same room no pigs, geese,
ducks, chickens, or other similar things can be kept which contaminate the air."
In the good old days there was no plaster and in the bad weather the children
brought their lunches with them to school where they stayed from morning to
evening. The lunch break is to take place on the grounds after instruction and
may include bread, (Maleibrocken?), roast potatoes, sliced fruit, etc. With the
poor salary of the schoolteacher this was virtually a supplementary income for
him. Then one or two pigs and his poultry stretch it out greatly.
But because he was also the school servant, it resulted that these useful
domestic animals were allowed in the school classes, that wander over.
Point 19.
"He is never to beat the children in the church, by the music stand, or at a
funeral." Here it is noted that for the students in the higher grades,
attendance at church service was still always mandatory.
Point 22.
"In school detention he is not to be too strict or too lenient." That was
easier said than done. But with 100 to 300 students the educational
methods often would not be complete without brandishing the rod.
Point 29.
"Schoolteachers are under the command of the preachers."
Point 33.
"All schoolteachers are forbidden to go into the wine and beer houses, which in
any case are only for travelers." Guesthouses are necessary for travelers.
Very important!
The dean will
always be chosen for three years by the executive committee.
|
From Years: |
the Dean was |
Pastor of |
|
1829-50 |
Josef Skultety |
Sekitsch |
|
1863-70 |
Carl Theod. Roth |
Stari Vrbas |
|
1870-73 |
Paul Skultety |
Sekitsch |
|
1873-77 |
Ferdinand Hamel |
Feketitsch |
In the fall and
spring the school hours were from 7 to 11 and from 1 to 5 o'clock. In the
winter hours are from 8 to 11 and from 1 to 4 o'clock. The exams will be
announced through a circular from the dean. In 1834 the dean directed the
following circulars to the teachers:
"Dear teachers!
With the
approaching spring familiarize yourselves with the definite time of the school
exams which will be held on the following dates:
|
10th of March....A.M. in Kucura. |
4th of April....A.M. in Feketitsch. |
|
11th of March....A.M. in Torza. |
7th of April....A.M. in Bajscha. |
|
11th of March....A.M. for boys in
Kisker. |
8th of April....A.M. for young men in
Crvenka |
|
11th of March....P.M. for girls in
Kisker. |
8th of April....P.M. for young women
in Crvenka |
|
13th of March....A.M. in Novisad. |
9th of April....A.M. in Novi Vrbas. |
|
14th of March....A.M. in Jarek. |
9th of April....P.M. in Stari Vrbas. |
|
3rd of April....A.M. for young men in
Sekitsch. |
3rd of April....P.M. for young women
in Sekitsch. |
I would still
only make notice that you give the examination opportunity to show before the
eyes of the world, as able and diligent students and it will be my duty to
ensure that you oversee the fairness of the exams.
Yours, dear
teacher, sincere friend.
Sekitsch, on the 26th of February 1834.
Josef Skultety e.h. the current dean.
After the superintendent's visit; in 1836, received Reverend Johann Stehli from
Petrovac, executive at the time (from 1832-52) of the gracious commission,
issued the following order:
1) The school time should be
punctually kept; 2) The teachers should refrain from frequent departures and
running around without requesting permission from the village pastor. 3)
Intoxication and card
playing are to be avoided; 4) The teacher should not instruct in the school with
a covered head and pipe in mouth, etc. 5) The religion must always be the main
objective of the instruction; for the remaining sciences this important
necessity must also be carried forward.
The most
necessary are from reading, a number also learned the writing, quite a few even
the math. From the success of learning at the time of one school year we
can make an impression if we look at the interesting data on the matter which
are noted from the school year 1814-1815 in Torscha.*
|
From 174 students could: |
spell |
read |
write |
calculate |
|
at the beginning of the school year |
81 |
32 |
25 |
18 |
|
at the conclusion of school |
68 |
103 |
35 |
40 |
The
reading was drilled with the spelling method by the old schoolmasters until the
70's. An ABC book served as handbook, when the spelling went reasonably,
the small catechism was carried out. Progress came in the large catechism,
best of all in the testament. Reverend Georg Schwalm tells of spelling in
the memory of his youth that in his ABC book the letters all stood in pairs like
soldiers being drilled: ab, eb, ib, ob, ub; then reversed ba, be, bi, bo, bu;
and so on through the whole alphabet to z. These one must be able to
recite by heart without error. But this is hardly witchcraft. "Ab"
is shown in the book that it should be spelled: a-be=ab. It was difficult
to grasp why the "e" must be bitten off after the "a-be". Instead of "ab"
he has spelled "abe" and he still only heard what it sounded like to the ear.
Modern teachers of the time used it in the verse: a-be=ab, (what ab?)
Schneppkapp; i-en=in, (what in?) sin Läus' drin; be-a= Appenpappen; ce-ka=
Eckendeckel = Pappendeckel, and so forth.
It is
interesting that many who could read could not learn the writing, they could
merely read the printed word. Writing was done on a slate with a piece of
chalk. With spit and elbows they were wiped off. There were no
pencils or steel pens in those days. They used to write with a goose
feather pen which the teacher cut. The teacher prepared two pens.
Ink was made from inkberries and sand served to dry it up. Since 1840 it
was urged by the secular authorities that the so many hours spent on the
Hungarian language be given up. The first Hungarian signature to be found
on this year was that of Baron Janos. Our register from this year on was
kept in the Hungarian language.
Because of the
civil unrest in 1849, no exams could be held. The Hungarian rule was to
end temporarily.
In 1850 the
upper echelon sent a circular which gave insight on the position of the teacher
so now they would be aware of the secular side. 1) The salary and the perks of
the teacher will be promptly paid. 2) Quarters also have to be provided with a
small bedroom, cattle stall, and (Reterat?).
- undersigned in St. Futok on
the 7th and 19th of July 1850 by Triphon Jojkovitsch c.h. District Commissar
*Reverend Peter Wack: Torscha
1934.
It is noteworthy
of the warning reminder of the "voluntary" contributions to the teachers of the
high school (Vrbas Gymnasium) that payments in arrears should be paid up as soon
as possible so the unpleasant installments could be prevented (1838). This
high school existed since 1822. The administrator frequently announced for
the well-educated teachers to consult with him to be relieved of the tax on
their voluntary contributions. When it was considered that the village
teacher may not leave without the permission of the preacher, the good advice to
the miserably paid teacher would have been expensive, then the average would be
a contribution of 10 Florint in Viennese currency, that is a 4 Florint decrease
in Austrian currency for the teacher. In 1857 there were 20 German
Evangelical teachers in the executive committee, which had also kept one old
blind colleague while they catered to him monthly. From 1859 on they
started to have two exams a year. For example, in Feketitsch the exams
were on the 2nd of February and the 19th of June 1859. But after a few
years it was again back to the old way everywhere. - There were already sample
handwritings in the old times. The sample handwritings were carried out
shortly before the exams. Beautiful lined cardboard sheets were used for
it. Here attention was paid to write down the prescribed text if at all
possible in a beautiful way. They paid the price in sweat and if one
made a mess of his paper in the excitement, that was a misfortune of the first
degree. The two Kreuzer that the paper cost was marked off and in the
bargain the student must put up with the anger of the teacher.
Occasionally at the examinations these sample writings were shown off.
With the nationalization of the schools they got away from sample writings.
The schools were
better equipped with teaching aids. Around the turn of the century besides the
ABC slates there were illustrative pictures of the walls, maps, globes, physical
aids, and a library at one's disposal. For these provisions the comitat's
school inspector, who carried out even greater supervision and rules,
contributed much, especially since the teaching positions were already provided
considerable assistance from the state.
The use of the
Hungarian language in instruction continued to increase after the year 1868, but
especially since 1900. The excellent Lackner'sche "German reader" which
also contained the necessary geography, history, natural science, etc. served as
textbook from 1880 to 1905.
The schools,
although state supported, were denominational schools, of which 29 school
ordnances continued to exist, although these were only rights the schoolmasters
should have had to cover themselves 100 years ago.
The coup in 1918
was also promptly noticed. Already on the 16th of November 1918 a reply
came according to which the Hungarian language would not be stipulated in the
first and second grades but rather would be instructed in the mother tongue. -
In 1919 the Serbian school laws of 1904 were extended to Vojvodina. On the
10th of October 1920 the congregation brought the resolution that "in the matter
of the reply of the Batschka school inspectors under number 5200/1920 and the
ordnance of the Minister of Prosvete for the Batschka, page number 17967/1920,
the Evangelical congregation were not in a position to procure the specified and
necessary costs for the school, as their elementary school S.H.S. was handed
over to the state." The school wealth consisted only of 3 school halls
with inventory and schoolyard. At the same time the letter asked the
inspectors and ministers to allow the congregation permission to have the church
chancellery, which is under the same roof as the school building, available to
them in the future." The school inspector of the faculty would not promise
such a thing. The congregation did not receive it and they even
surrendered the choirmaster's field that was much in demand. On the
contrary, the community demanded their choirmaster's apartment back, and
received it again in 1936 but it threatened collapse, so they had to be
supported and be in a legal position which demanded 15,000 Dinares.
The schools
today are state schools in which state appointed teachers give instruction. The
Evangelical and German Reformed children go together in the German section of
the school. The German children were taught in four groups at the time.
1st and 2nd grades, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th and 6th grades.
Of the four teachers
three professed to be German. There was Julius Pratscher; Richard Klein,
born in Vrbas; and Andreas Hofmeister, born in Belje. In the first grade
the children learned to read and write in the mother tongue with Gothic letters;
in the second grade the students learned the Cyrillic and Croatian letters.
It is no wonder that this great variety of letters were sometimes confused
because they meant a huge load for the students. The school building and
the inventory found in it are the property of the congregation. The school
Julius Pratscher community paid a much too small lease of 60 Dinar for its use.
Teacher
and The school director is a teacher. The school inspector is likewise a
specialist, Choirmaster a teacher. The earlier theologians and jurists
have separated from these positions and today it is taken for granted that the
instructors are experts only in teaching.
|
The number of students in |
Year |
Total |
Boys |
Girls |
|
|
1829 |
49 |
|
|
|
|
1831 |
68 |
|
|
|
|
1860 |
117 |
60 |
53 |
|
|
1873 |
166 |
84 |
82 |
|
|
1917 |
202 |
|
|
|
The number of all of the German
Students in |
1930 |
205 |
|
|
It is noticed
that in 1829 during examinations 49 Kreuzer were distributed to the students.
In 1831, 68 'Semle' were purchased for the children for about 2 Florint, 16
Kreuzer = 136 Kreuzer from which they purchased for themselves a roll which had
cost 2 Kreuzer. Soon the baker in Sekitsch received 5 Florint, 20 Kreuzer
"für Semle". The custom of the examination roll is over 100 years old and
it had gladdened the hearts of so many children and should do so in the
future.
|
 |
Andreas Hofmeister |
***
Students of the
3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades in the Evangelical school on November 3rd, 1896.
Row 1: Joh.
Lutz, Fritz Fetzer, Karl Gutwein, Peter Schwebler, Joh. Freund, Joh. Dietrich,
Ph. Bittlingmayer, Joh. Pratscher, Joh. Lutz, G. Meßik, Karl Häußer, Peter
Häußer, Chr. Bender, G. Karbiener.
Row 2: Mich.
Hinkel, Jakob Schwindt, Heinr. Butscher, Nik. Dietrich, Ph. Scheer, A.
Baschawerk, Chr. Kaiper, Jak. Morell, F. Wagner, Chr. Anschüß, A. Müller, Peter
Geyer.
Row 3: Fritz
Dietrich, Jak. Brückner, Georg Egner, Peter Ziegler, Jak. Brandt, Ludwig Roth,
Chr. Fetzer, Georg Gutwein, P. Ortag, J. Ludmann, Peter Krebs, Gottfried Howe.
Rowe 4. A.
Liebersperger, Heinrich Kloß, A. Bechtler, G. Baschawerk, L. Morell, Jak. Fritz,
Julius Pratscher, A. Häußer, G. Schwebler, Ph. Poleratzki, A. Scheer, H.
Gutwein, Elis. Gutwein.
Row 5: Kath.
Scheer, Kath. Geist, Chr. Häußer, Elis. Schäfer, Kath. Lutz, Dor. Scheer, Elis.
Dietrich, Marg. Gerber, Chr. Hellermann, Elis. Welker, Kath. Lehr, Bar. Geist,
Ther. Heck, Elis. Müller.
Row 6: Kath.
Häußer, Sof. Ziegler, Maria Häußer, Chr. Bender, Ther. Schübler, Magd.
Bittlingmayer, Elis. Schwaner, Ther. Roth, Elis. Spies, Sofia Stengel, Marg.
Leibersperger, Kath. Gutwein.
Row 7: Dor.
Egner, Dor. Fritz, K. Gerber, K. Bechtler, Elis. Müller, K. Fetzer, teacher
Wilhelm Pratscher, K. Pratscher, K. Dietrich, K. Thiel, Theresia Ziegler, Marg.
Balk, G. Glock, Sus. Scholl, K. Freund.
The students of the 3rd & 4th Grades in 1896
The children
were just the opposite of today's in style of dress in that they were very
plainly dressed. The mother sewed the clothes herself by hand and the
siblings, often 8 to 10 in number, inherited these clothes from each other and
handed them down as well as the slate, hymnal, Bible, and catechism. Poor
children received these books from the congregation as a gift. A (Schleh)
rifle? was the greatest desire of the boys. The pastor did not even have a
leather pouch or a briefcase.
The kindergarten
existed since 1896.
The political community put
up a beautiful new building for this purpose in 1905. The imposing
building had two teaching halls and an apartment with neighboring buildings.
Instruction was done at the time in three languages. The state appointed
kindergarten teacher is Elisabetha Bachmann.
The youths who
have outgrown school have to go to the so-called repeat school on weekday
afternoons and before the Sunday church service for two hours. Later this
instruction took place on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons instead. The
congregation would provide a teacher for the lessons and pay 140 Kronen a year
for it. Lesson time lasted from Kirchweih to Easter. After the
nationalization of the schools, the school community kept the repeat school
upright and paid the appropriate hourly fee. Since 1930 the elementary
school has had eight grades instead of six. Because of the shortage of
teaching space and teaching staff this law was not executed. Eventually
the age required to be in school was raised to 14 years old. But if a
child completed the sixth grade sooner, he had completed enough of his school
requirements. Since 1930, the school age began not at the sixth but at the
seventh year of life.
Repeat school doesn't exist
anymore.
