The first Albanian school for girls opened in Korça. In the conditions of persecution by the Ottoman government, its opening was made thanks to the foreign passport held by its founder Gjerasim Qiriazi. Already in the first year, the number of female students increased to 27. Later, the school had 30-50 female students every year. Girls of different faiths also studied in this school. The first teachers were Sevasti Qiriazi, Fanka Efthimi, later also Polikseni Luarasi and Parashqevi Qiriazi. Gjerasim Qiriazi had connections with the National Committee of Korça and with the Albanian colonies outside the homeland. It was especially helped by the “Drita” (“Light”) Society of Bucharest. Despite the many obstacles, the girls’ school remained open even after the untimely death of Gjerasim Qiriazi and became an important center for the spread of education, culture and national consciousness. Along with Korça, the provinces of Kolonjë and Vakëfe became significant centers of the spread of national education. (In the photo: Albanian girls’ school, Korçë.)
Text: The history of the Albanian people – Vol. II , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Toena”, Tirana, 2002, page 254-255.
Photo: © https://grazeta.com/2020/10/23/129-vjetori-i-shkolles-se-pare-shqipe-per-vajza/
Graphic processing: AHCF
