“Old school” in Kürten

At first, lessons took place in the sexton's home. In the middle of the 18th century, separate school buildings were built, half-timbered houses with small, dark rooms. Around 80 pupils between the ages of 6 and 14 were taught in one room. Many pupils were absent in the summer because they were needed for work in the fields. This meant that there was little continuity in learning. The first schoolhouse in Kürten was built around 1750 and was a half-timbered building with a garden and meadow.

In 1811, under Napoleon, it was decided to separate the responsibilities of church and state for general education. The so-called elementary school was created. When compulsory schooling was introduced in the Rhineland in 1825, not much changed at first. There were even public protests against compulsory schooling.

It was only with the construction of larger brick school buildings and teachers who were trained at a seminary that a regulated school system was established in the mid-19th century.

The new school building from 1869 was built across from the old half-timbered house and faced south with a broad front. It was a two-storey building with several classrooms and large windows facing the street. For over a hundred years, it became "their" school for many Kürten residents, where they could learn "for life" for eight years. The teachers lived in the old half-timbered school. It was later clad in slate.

A special event was the farewell to head teacher Hermann Horst, who had taught at the school for 45 years. He started in 1883 during the imperial era, accompanied his pupils through the years of the First World War and ended his school career in 1928 during the Weimar Republic. The farewell photo from 1928 shows his class at the time with children from Weiden, Busch, Hutsherweg, Meiswinkel, Siebelsmühle and Eulen. Main teacher Hermann Horst on the left, teacher Miss Kemmerich and teacher Hüsch on the right.

The photo was taken in the courtyard in front of the half-timbered house (the first school). The children were all Catholic and studied in mixed classes from year 1 to 4. The older pupils were mostly taught by the head teacher. He fulfilled the duties of the later principal.

Everyday school life

In the first class, pupils wrote with a stylus on a slate, later with a pen. The teacher had to provide the ink.

The saying "Take your seven things" (namely a satchel, slate with sponge, stylus and stylus box, small cloth and primer) comes from this time.

They were taught to read, write and write neatly, do arithmetic, spatial theory, geography and national history. There were blackboards for learning about nature and home, the boys had gymnastics, the girls manual work. The teacher accompanied the singing of songs on the violin or piano. The pupils who were good at learning went on to commercial school or the Progymnasium.

The new school building from the 1950s was converted in 1975 for the St. Johann Baptist Catholic kindergarten with a large outdoor area and playground. A chestnut tree with a bench was planted in the entrance area in the inner courtyard. Today, the kindergarten has been expanded into a day care center.