Katakombenschule

The catacomb was an illegal device that was created during the Fascist period in South Tyrol ( Italy since 1919 ), to ensure the systematic instruction of students in their native language ( German ). Around 30,000 students were affected.

As part of the attempt to Italianize South Tyrol, was by decree of October 1923 ( Lex Gentile ) decreed that from the academic year 1925/26, Italian as the exclusive language of instruction should be given in all schools. The South Tyrolean teachers were dismissed and replaced by Italian, often no German could. Similarly, the German language was forbidden in all kindergartens in October 1924. As parents then organized private lessons and private parlors, this was strictly forbidden by decree of November 1925.

To ensure the children be taught in their native language, had to be established a network of underground schools. Suitable premises had to be found, is purchasing teaching materials and teachers are funded. Driving forces were Canon Michael Gamper and committed individuals like lawyers Noldin Josef and Eduard Reut Nicolussi. Among many other the teacher Rudolf Riedl and the young teachers Angela Nikoletti and Berta Gelmini of Kreutzhof devoted body and soul to the banned German lessons. To finance the Notschule were contacts the club for Germans Abroad (VDA).

The teaching materials were smuggled out of Germany and Austria to South Tyrol. The young teachers were initially trained in South Tyrol, where the groups eg as sewing classes or similar were camouflaged. Later, these courses were only possible abroad. In this way, about 200 teachers were trained. They disguised themselves as farmers often, the " classes " met in the afternoon, after the regular classes at the Italian primary school, on farms or in restaurants. Once a Katakombenschule unmasked, teachers and parents had to reckon with draconian fines, imprisonment or exile.

1928 religious instruction was approved in German language Sunday school again, which took advantage of the German -speaking clergy for an active resistance to assimilation. Against the will Gamper operation of the Nazi- oriented Völkische Fighting Ring South Tyrol 1938/39, own catacomb.

1939 was granted in the children option Optantenfamilien teaching again in German language. 1943, after the occupation by German troops (see Operational Zone Alpine foothills ), German education was re- admitted. Now the German School of South Tyrol was open to political and ideological intentions of National Socialism.

After the Second World War, the German school system in South Tyrol could be re-established under democratic conditions, where it took until the legacy of both dictatorships were stripped entirely. As part of the South Tyrolean autonomy statute the public school system with German language of instruction was a strong institution of minority protection in the country.