The deaf, the church and the school in 1840–1970: cooperation and conflicts

Authors

• Liisa Rantala Itä-Suomen yliopisto

Abstract

In this article, I examine the relations between the work among the deaf by the church and the schools for the deaf in Finland from the middle of the 19th century to the 1970s. Education for the deaf was started through the actions of the deaf and by the church. The church emphasized the role of the school in learning a language without which the gospel would not reach the deaf. Schooling of the deaf began in the sign language in 1860. At the end of the century, however, oral methods replaced the sign language in teaching. The goal of the school system was to provide the deaf with a good general education. Due to the language barrier, the deaf received very little religious or any other type of education in their homes. In the schools for the deaf, teaching religious issues was the central objective. The pupils even had their confirmation classes at school which was exceptional. Furthermore, the schools provided pastoral care for deaf adults. From 1908 onwards, the state hired priests to carry out spiritual work among the deaf. In the beginning of the 20th century, making gospel and education reach the deaf was the goal shared by both the school and the church. The goals were gradually separated, however. The church emphasized the meaning of a language of their own for the deaf. Society, on the contrary, stressed learning to speak and integrating the deaf to the society of the hearing. It was not until the 1960s that the sign language started, step by step, to gain recognition and become a language that could be used in the schools. During the 1970s, the education of the deaf was mostly handed over to the municipal schools. This school reform ended the era of close cooperation between the church and the schools.