Levéltári Közlemények, 93. (2022)

Angol nyelvű összefoglalók

Abstracts

Dorottya Szepessyné Judik

THE GREAT WAR AND INSTITUTIONS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION

The outbreak of the First World War did not leave untouched special education schools - among them institutions for the deaf - operating on the territory of the Kingdom of Hungary. The deaf institutions, controlled by the Ministry of Religion and Education and their National Committee of Special Education, took part in life of hinterland on three fields. Firstly, more than half of all schools’ buildings were handed over to establish military hospitals. Remaining institutions were merged locally in other buildings, often operating within very crowded circumstances, with modified curriculum. Secondly, specially qualified teachers were enlisted and taken to the front, while those who stayed at home tried to maintain tuition with more or less success. Thirdly, deaf students also took part in charitable activities of hinterland by making clothes, collecting needed things for soldiers, or helping with war loan subscription. We must not forget either, that there were other problems in these war-affected school years. As result of the high level of inflation, the uncertainty of food supplies, the lack of parental and/or school supervision, and the lessening opportunities of boarding facilities the number of students decreased radically. Thus, very few students finished their studies properly in these years, which narrowed their chances of social mobility later.

339