Convictorio Carolino facts for kids
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Former names
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Royal Noble Seminary of Saint Charles |
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| Active | 1778–1813 |
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Religious affiliation
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Roman Catholic |
| Location | , |
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| Merged into the Instituto Nacional | |
The Convictorio Carolino was an important school in Santiago, colonial Chile. Many key people who helped Chile become independent were educated here.
The Convictorio was known for its strict rules. Students who lived there had to follow very firm rules about how they behaved. They learned subjects like Latin, theology (the study of religion), philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence), good manners, and basic Spanish language.
This school was very important for education in Chile at that time. It was one of the few places where young people could get a good education. In 1813, the Convictorio Carolino joined with a new school called the Instituto Nacional. The same leader (rector) continued to guide the new school, and it still keeps high academic standards today.
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History of the Convictorio Carolino School
In the middle of the 1700s, there were only two main boarding schools in the area known as the Captaincy General of Chile. These were the Convictorio of San Francisco Javier and another one in Concepción. Both were run by the Jesuits, a religious group. Other schools, like a seminary for priests and a university, were different because they focused on specific careers or higher degrees.
The Convictorio of San Francisco Javier, which was an older version of the Convictorio Carolino, had few students and its building was falling apart. In 1767, King Charles III ordered the Jesuits to leave all lands controlled by Spain. When this happened in Chile, classes stopped. This made the government worried because young people had to travel far, to places like Lima or Córdoba, to get an education.
On July 9, 1769, the King decided to create special groups to manage the properties taken from the Jesuits. In Chile, this group included important officials like the Captain General, a judge, a prosecutor, a church leader, and a lawyer. On July 14, 1772, this group approved starting a new school. They named it the Royal Noble Seminary of Saint Charles (Real Seminario de Nobles de San Carlos), to honor King Charles III. It was planned to be built where the old Convictorio of San Francisco Javier used to be.
On August 7 of the same year, the rules for the new school were approved. Its official name became Convictorio Carolino, named after Saint Charles. The school's entrance would display the royal coat of arms, and its students could use the King's special symbol.
Even with good plans, the Convictorio could not open right away. At first, they wanted to use the College of San Pablo, an old Jesuit building, but it was too damaged. A hardworking man named José Perfecto de Salas suggested using the Colegio Máximo de San Miguel, located behind the Cathedral. This is where the National Congress stands today. In 1777, the Convictorio moved into this location. At the same time, they started hiring teachers, and Gabriel de Egaña was chosen as the school's leader (rector) in November. By January 14, 1778, all teaching positions were filled.
On March 30, 1778, the order to open the school was given. The Convictorio Carolino officially opened on April 10, 1778. It was a grand ceremony with important leaders from Chile, including Governor Agustín de Jáuregui.
The school faced money problems from the start. A new royal minister, José Gálvez, made things worse by cutting the Convictorio's budget. He even wanted to combine it with another school for religious studies. The leaders of both schools protested to the King. They argued that the schools were very different: one focused on religious training, and the other on languages and general education for all types of jobs. In 1786, the rector, Miguel Palacios, warned that the Convictorio might close if funding kept decreasing. Governor Ambrosio de Benavides had to decide. He called a special meeting, and they decided to keep the Convictorio's funding. So, the school continued to operate.
In 1804, the school again had financial difficulties. They had to lower the pay for student teachers.
On February 20, 1811, Manuel de Salas suggested combining all the schools of that time into one big campus. This included the Convictorio Carolino. The rector of the Convictorio, Pedro Tomás de la Torre, supported this idea. Many people in society liked this plan, and it was discussed in the Congress. Finally, in 1813, the National Institute was founded. The last rector of the Convictorio, Father José Francisco de Echaurren, became the first rector of the new National Institute.
How Students Were Taught
The Convictorio Carolino was a Catholic school supported by King Carlos III. Its special saint was Saint Charles. Students had the special honor of using the King's royal symbol. The King also provided money for four students to attend for free. Other students paid $80 per year for tuition. The school only accepted "children of legitimate marriage, of known virtue, and of no known infamy." This meant students had to come from respected families and have a good reputation.
The school's rules included very strict punishments. Students were expected to behave perfectly both inside and outside the school. They were not allowed to play games or get into fights. They also had to speak politely and correctly.
Classes usually lasted 45 minutes, including lessons and reviews. Every Wednesday and Saturday, teachers would give evaluations to check student progress. Thursday was a free day, with classes ending early at 9:00 am.
Famous Students
Many important people who shaped Chile's history studied at the Convictorio Carolino:
- José Miguel Carrera: A soldier and politician. He was the first commander of the Chilean Army and a key leader in Chile's fight for independence. He is considered one of the fathers of the country.
- Francisco Antonio Pinto: A lawyer and general who later became the President of Chile.
- Manuel Rodríguez Erdoíza: A lawyer, politician, and guerrilla fighter. He played a very important role in the Chilean War of Independence.
- Diego Portales: A politician and businessman who served as a powerful Minister of State.
- Manuel Pérez de Cotapos: A representative for Talca and the president of the National Congress of Chile in 1812.
School Leaders (Rectors)
- Gabriel de Egaña (1777–1784)
- Juan Nicolás Varas (1784–1786)
- Miguel Palacios (1786–1798)
- Pedro Tomás de la Torre (1798–1812)
- Pbto. José Francisco Echaurren (1812–1813)
Images for kids
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Governor Agustín de Jáuregui, who helped open the Convictorio.
See also
In Spanish: Convictorio Carolino para niños
- Colonial Chile
- Instituto Nacional General José Miguel Carrera
- Royal University of San Felipe
