In the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Pardubice was rightly proud of its education system. Its schools were always full to capacity, as the city was growing fast and attracting more and more families with children. The most renowned of Pardubice’s schools was the technical school (Realschule), whose students included the aviator Jan Kašpar (1883–1927) and the Czechoslovak Prime Minister František Udržal (1866–1938). Graduates generally went on to study at technical universities. The city constructed two large buildings for the school, and for many years it paid the teachers’ wages. The school was very well equipped thanks to generous donations from local citizens, companies and institutions. Some of the students came from abroad – including some from as far away as Bulgaria.
Another important institution was the industrial school, which trained experts to work in the local factories that had sprung up near Pardubice’s station, as well as in the construction industry. By the turn of the 20th century, it had become clear that Pardubice also needed a more academic type of secondary school (known in Central Europe as a Gymnasium). The local deputy Vojtěch Horák (1865–1908) lobbied hard for such a school in the provincial parliament, but negotiations with the state authorities proved so challenging that the Gymnasium was not established until 1910.
Education for girls was a problematic issue. In the 1860, the council established a college for girls, with teachers from the city’s technical school. However, it closed down after several years, and it was replaced by a municipal school for girls. At first the students only learned how to do manual work, but eventually other subjects were introduced. Until Czechoslovakia’s independence in 1918, the legislation also discriminated against female teachers by prohibiting them from marrying.
