Origin of the work:
1650 – 1651 Sárospatak
Editions:
1657 Amsterdam, Opera didactica omnia III
1957 Prague, Opera didactica omnia III (phototype edition)
1957 Prague, J. A. Comenius scholarum novi ordinis formator. J. A. Komenský tvůrce nového uspořádání škol, (in Latin and Czech; Czech translation by J. Kopecký and M. Klučka)
1960 Prague, Vybrané spisy J. A. Komenského, vol. II, Czech translation by J. Kopecký
1992 Prague, J. A. Comenii Opera omnia, vol. III/15
Contents:
At the start of his stay in Sárospatak, Comenius was asked by Prince Sigismund Rákóczi to briefly set out his concept for the Sárospatak school. Comenius responded with the Illustris Patakinae scholae idea. It was his opinion that the school be broadly disseminating the light of the knowledge necessary in life to all young people, regardless of their social standing. No-one seeking after learning should suffer want thereby. In this school, the workshop of humanity, students will in all things progress through stages, on the basis of their own opinions and on the basis of their own deeds.
This school will have seven classes in two stages. The lower grade, the philological, will have as its task the teaching of the Latin language in three classes – the vesitibular, the janual and the atrial. The upper grade, the lesser academy, will provide more complex knowledge in four classes – the philosophical, the logical, the political and the theological; their content will be rooted in pansophy.
To form their own opinions, it is necessary that pupils are convinced of all that they are learning through their own senses. Their own deeds require that students manage everything through their own intellect, memory, language and tireless industr.
In order that the school have the character of a small academy, Comenius requested that it comprise of a large building with seven lecture theatres, sufficient accommodation for the students, a public dining room where poor students could receive their food for free, as many teachers as there would be classes, generous wages for the staff, and a well-equipped printworks.
This proposal met with the prince’s favour, and Comenius was invited to remain and set to work on the Sárospatak school.
For further study, see also:
J. V. Novák & J. Hendrich, Jan Amos Komenský, jeho život a spisy. Prague 1932, pp441-442
Vybrané spisy J. A. Komenského, vol. II.Prague 1960, pp24 & 475-476
J. A. Comenii Opera omnia, vol. 15/III. Prague 1992, pp327-330
Jan Kumpera, Jan Amos Komenský, poutník na rozhraní věků. Prague & Ostrava 1992, pp274-278