Ticino teacher training institute celebrating 150 years of history

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Scuola magistrale - an institute that specializes in teacher training - at the former seminary in Pollegio in the canton of Ticino. The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), which emerged from this institution, is taking this landmark year as an opportunity to make the history of the pedagogical training of teaching staff for compulsory schools in the canton accessible to the public.

According to its press release, SUPSI will celebrate the anniversary of its Department of Education and Learning (DFA), which is based in Locarno in the canton of Ticino, with a series of events, publications and other initiatives. The digital exhibition entitled “150 years of becoming teachers” traces the history of the institute from its beginnings in Pollegio and the move to Locarno, all the way through to its affiliation with SUPSI and present-day activities. Over the course of this year, the website will be enriched with academic publications, personal reports and a collection of in-depth material.

In addition, an in-person exhibition entitled “150 years of education: a selection of documents and stories from the Scuola magistrale” is also being organized. This exhibition is open to the public between February 8 and 17, 2023, in the Sala Orelli in the cloister of the Church of S. Francesco in Locarno.

At 5 p.m. on November 15, representatives of the cantonal authorities and contemporary witnesses will report on events and episodes that have shaped the history of the school in the Aula magna of the DFA. On November 24, the History and Civics Section of the DFA is organizing an international study day dedicated to the history of teacher education. mm