The school at Pleiestiftelsen

There were schools for the resident children at both Pleiestiftelsen hospital and Lungegården hospital. Pleiestiftelsen hospital opened in the autumn of 1857, and the hospital school was in operation from 1 January 1858. We don’t know much about the school, but some information can be ascertained from the preserved school register.

Four lessons were given on school days. The girls had two lessons in the morning, while the boys had two in the afternoon. In addition, the girls received instruction in ‘customary women’s handiwork.’ The register shows that they were taught reading, understanding practice, Bible studies, catechism studies and explanations, Norwegian grammar and arithmetic. It seems that the children were taught slightly different things, probably depending on their age and what they already knew. Certain years there were for instance few pupils who studied arithmetic or Bible studies.

The first year there were 13 girls and 12 boys attending the school, coming from different parts of Western Norway. The girls were between 10 and 15 years old, the boys between 8 and 19 years old. There were three girls from Selje, two from Leganger and two from Luster, and the other girls came from Gloppen, Fjelberg, Finnås and Askevoll. Several of the boys were from the same places. There was also one girl from Bergen.