Short history of school

Rusne special school was established September 1st, 1952 according to the behest of Lithuanian Republic Minister of Education.

At the beginning it was a boarding school for deaf – and – dumb because at the time of the post – war a lot of deaf children and teenagers did not have the place to study.

When the living conditions improved and the number of deaf pupils decreased, the chool was reorganized into a boarding school for children with small mental disability in April 5th, 1960.

The school got the old, cracking and not renovated buildings of the war and post – war. They were not suitable for the living and education of children. Quite for a long time they were renovated so the first school year started only in the end of December.

By the end of the first school year 1952/1953, 22 pupils lived in the boarding school, 10 of which successfully completed the school year and were accepted to the first class. Only 5 teachers worked during the first school year.

The school grew gradually, young teachers community bravely faced with difficulties and retardation. In the school year 1953/1954, 70 pupils from different republic districts were studying and 15 teachers were working there.

From the school year 1956/1957, the Students’ council was established, which took decisions on different pupils’ discipline and school order questions. There were drawing, sports, young scientists and art amateur circles. There even was a satire newspaper “ Adata” ( “ The Needle”). On a set time, there were the expositions of exemplary and non – exemplary students’ exercise – books, and the spoken language. The material of the spoken language in the glass – cases was always new and different. The community of the teachers published a wall newspaper “ Darbo keliu” ( “ Along the Work Road”).

This led to much better specialists and the teaching procces improved and the students’ rediness for the individual life and work improved as well.

Since 1960-04-05 till 1992 the education institution was Boarding school”, since spring 1992, according to amendment of Ministry of Education it is called “ Rusne special boarding school”.

Until year 1990 there was a school of eight classes, later, the ninth form is opened, and from the year 2000, the tenth from was established. This did not lead to a greater number of students. 108 pupils completed the school year 2001/2002.

Since October 1997, when the school power was taken by Klaipeda district administration, methodological work began to spin round the special shools of the district and it was conducted by the district specialist of education Mrs. Jonusiene.

In length of time the school grew and enlarged. In 1978 there were 190 pupils. A shortage of the living and teaching blocks was felt. A few times the Ministry of Education was requested to start the construction of the new school’s dormitory. This project faced many difficulties but eventually it was implemented autumn 2004. The pupils moved the new modern dormitory.

The new school dormitory

After the beginning of the nation’s revival after the acceptation of new concepts of disabled children education and implementing the programs of integration into society, the number of pupils started decreasing. Now there are 98 pupils with small and average disability, 36 teachers work in the school. All of them are certified teachers and 80 percent of them have a certificate of educators.

Since the establishment of the school, there still exist pupils’ work, art, physical training traditions. There are 20 out – of – school activity circles. 85 percent of the pupils attend them. At the end of the school year, each out – of – school activity circle gives an account to school community, town’s community, in the district, and even in the republic by organizing an exposition, concert, participating in the sports event, or by any other from.