The National High School of Korça was opened, the first high school of general education in Albania. It was opened by decision of the Government Council of the “Autonomous” Province of Korça. In 1921, it was named the National Lyceum. The lessons were conducted in French, with the exception of the Albanian language subject. Teachers were both French and Albanian. The school had a nine-year curriculum. Albanian and French teachers were paid by the Albanian state; the French government provided textbooks, teaching materials, and other books for various branches of science. The diploma from the National Lyceum was recognized by the French government as equivalent to those of France. Until 1938, around 600 students (including 100 girls) had attended the lyceum. Albanian directors were Sotir Papahristo from 1925 to 1933, Pertef Pogoni from 1933 to 1937, and Kostaq Cipo from 1937 to 1939. Among the French directors and teachers mentioned were Andre Bregault, Xavje de Courvielle, Saint Genez, and others. In 1933, this school was named the National Lyceum of Korça. In 1937, out of the 28 teachers of the lyceum, five were French. During the years of anti-fascist resistance (1939–1944), 54 former lyceum students of Korça fell as martyrs. After World War II, the National Lyceum was named after a former student and teacher at this school, Raqi Qirinxhi. (In the photo: Building and students at the National High School, 1922.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1507-1508.
Photo: © Central State Archives
Graphic processing: AHCF
