Page 303 - Beholding Liberty!

HALL OF THE TROPHIES
ΙΙ.7.D.2
Donation of a sum of money for the founding of a school (18 February 1820) Archive of the Kopanitsas Family
Recognition code: GR HP_LHP A.4.1.6
Library of the Hellenic Parliament
EDUCATION during the Struggle of Indepen- dence undertook a major national and socio-polit- ical mission, in order to shape the citizens of the new state and educate them with the principles of a democratic polity, such as equality, equality before the law and meritocracy.
In that direction, the establishment of a network of schools in the revolted regions, often through dona-
ΙΙ.7.D.3
tions by wealthy Greeks and Philhellenes, was consid- ered as a priority. On an institutional level, the Consti- tution of 1823 places education under the auspices of the Legislative Body and provides for the founding of a monitorial school in Athens. There follows the founding of the Central School of Argos for the instruction of teachers of the monitorial method, the Orphanage of Aegina in 1828, the Agricultural School of Tiryns et. al.
Proclamation of the Peloponnesian Senate about the founding of a monitorial school in Tripolis (Tripolis, 16 March 1822)
Archives of the Greek Regeneration, vol. 1, no 452 [p. 452] Library of the Hellenic Parliament
THE ISSUE OF FOUNDING SCHOOLS
is a priority, but also an obligation of the Adminis- tration, as it is also demonstrated by the relevant care taken by the Peloponnesian Senate: «Each enlightened Administration has the duty to look after the upbringing of citizens, the moral and fair legislation [...]. Therefore, man does not become by nature villain or virtuous, but the administration
makes him such». For this reason, the Pelopon- nesian Senate undertook «patriotic custody» and proceeds with the founding of a monitorial school, inviting the studious youth of the entire Pelopon- nese to hurry to be taught for free the common letters, Greek, mathematics, as well as Italian and French, the only expenses being those for buying books and for boarding.
SCENES AND FIGURES OF FREEDOM The formation of the State 303