A Hajdú-Bihar Megyei Levéltár évkönyve 20. 1993 (Debrecen, 1993)

Tanulmányok - Aranyi Imre: Testnevelés a Dóczy leányközépiskolában

PHYSICAL TRAINING AT THE „DÓCZY” SECONDARY GIRL SCHOOL

Imre Aranyi

In the middle of the nineteenth century similary to other towns of the coutry a higher sehol for girls was established in Debrecen as well. Besides the teaching of basic subjects there was an attempt to draw the physical training into the course of education. It was considered that the most convenient possibilities for physical traning for girls are dance and gymnastics. Teaching of physical training was supported by the religious leaders of Debrecen since it was introduced as an exceptional subject even before the law of 1883, namely from 1875 in all of the eight classes. On the traning lessons mainly hte elements of the so-called German gymnastic systemwas practised. There was no gymnasium thus the exercises were performed in the large garden of the school when the weather made it possible. The most required equipments were available at the collection. The instuitute became a determinant girl school centre of the area by the leadership of Gedeon Dóczy. The elements of Swedish and English gymnastic systems gain more and more ground in the education. The characteristics of the age-groups were taken into consideration much better and games got greater role. The more effective work was promoted also by the employment of skilled physical instructresses. By the twentieth century the girl school was promoted to a rank of grammar-schols. Over the introduction of the Swedish, Danish and English methods excursions were organized regularly for the pupils. The schoolgirls gave account of the year work on public gimnastic examinations. They presented the exercises in uniform and the most execellent sportsgirls were rewarded at that time. The pupils joined in the competitions of the town and the country as well. The school made efforts to contribute to the godd results by purchasing new pieces of the gymnastic apparatus. By the years of 1930 the institute could possess one of the best equipped gymnasium of the town. Two tennis-courts, a running track and a big playgorund were at the pupils’ disposal. In the methods the elements of the Niels-Bukh method were applied willingly. The second World War put an end to the bustling sporting life. The new political leadership coming into power after the fighting started to secularize the church properties in 1948 and thus put an end to work of the Dóczy- Institute.

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