Bangas Gymnasium

Bangas Gymnasium of Korytsa Μπάγκειο Γυμνάσιο Κορυτσάς
Location
Korcë Ottoman Empire (now Albania)
Information
Type	Secondary level male school
Established	1856
Status	Defunct
Closed	1930
Bangas Gymnasium facilities (before 1912)

The Bangas Gymnasium (Greek: Μπάγκειο Γυμνάσιο, translit. Bangeio Gymnasio) or Gymnasium of Korytsa, was a Greek secondary level school in Korcë (Greek: Korytsa), southern Albania, from 1856 to 1930. It was named after its benefactor, Ioannis Pangas (or Bangas). The Bangas Gymnasium became one of the most significant Greek educational institutions in the region during the late period of Ottoman rule.

Greek education was thriving in Korcë during the last period of Ottoman rule, with the creation of kindergartens, primary and secondary level boys' schools, as well as girls' schools. Secondary level education was present in Korcë already from 1724, with the establishment of the Hellenic (Greek) School.

The Gymnasium of Korytsa was founded in 1856, though during the first years of operation it was hosted in the facilities of the Hellenic School. In 1863, the Gymnasium consisted of five classes and started to operate in a new separate building, erected with the support of the local community fund, the Lasso. The latter aimed at the promotion of Greek cultural and educational activity in Korce. In 1889 a sixth class was added, thus providing full middle level education according to the Greek educational standards of that time.

The costs of the Gymnasium were initially covered by the Greek consulate of Bitola. However, due to limited funding the school had to rely on local initiatives. In 1889, the national benefactor, entrepreneur and member of the local diaspora, Ioannis Pangas, took the initiative and subsidized educational and cultural projects, for the benefit of the Greek people in general. Among his initiatives, was an offer of 18,000 French francs, on annual basis, for the needs of the Gymnasium, including coverage of the teachers salary payments. Pangas, after whom the school was named, became also the main contributor of the Lasso.

The teaching staff of the Bangas Gymnasium consisted mainly of university graduates, most of whom had studied at the University of Athens, as well as at the Athens Polytechnic and the Halki Seminary, Constantinople (Istanbul), and other institutions. On the other hand, the majority of the students (ca. 70%) were natives of Korce, while the rest came from the surrounding towns and villages. The school provided also the necessary accommodation for the non-native students.

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