History of the Workers' College

Imatra Työväenoopisto's journey to become part of Virta-opisto

The college was born out of a need for education

The birth of the Imatra region's labor college was simultaneously connected to the economic boom in the region in the 1920s. When the large power plant of Imatra started to be built in the 1920s, the population of the locality began to rise and it brought a lot of industrial workers to the region. The founding words of the college were pronounced in the spring of 1925 in connection with the meeting days of the Workers' Culture Association held in the Tainionkoski workers' house. As a result of the negotiations, it was stated that regular evening study for the workers must be achieved. In the fall of 1925, the founding meeting of the Support Association of the Workers' College of the Imatra region was held, in connection with which a temporary board was elected, whose task was to establish a new workers' college.  

The operation of the Imatra regional workers' college began in March 1926. Due to the fragmentation of the municipality, the college was founded on the basis of a support association. The idea of ​​establishing a workers' college was raised at the study days of the Norwegian Education Association. In the Imatra region, where already at the beginning of the century there was significant industry, there were voluntary club activities and study hobbies of the working people. The purpose of the Imatra region's Workers' Support Association was "to do free educational work in Imatra and its surrounding area, completely independent of social and state parties or religious groups". The board of directors elected by the support association quickly took action, so that the college's operations could begin on March 1, 1926.  

The regular subjects in the first year were Finnish language, accounting, arithmetic, Swedish, choral singing, women's crafts, national economy, enunciation, acting, literature and men's gymnastics

As a municipal school

The operation of the Imatra regional workers' college was maintained by the support association until 1955, when the college was transferred to the ownership of the Imatra municipality. At the same time, the name was shortened to Imatra Työväenopisto. As a municipal college, funding was more stable, which was reflected in an increased teaching offer. The municipality's support made it possible for Työväeneopisto to have its own premises as well. The number of students began to rise sharply at this point. The number of students in the early years was just over 500, and quickly increased to thousands. In the 70s, the limit of 3000 students was exceeded. The peak years were in the early 90s, when Työväenopisto had more than 6000 students.  

The present

In 2017, Työväenopisto merged with Imatra's music school to become Virta-opisto. With this, we have been able to combine versatile teaching for all age groups in one organization. Teaching mainly takes place in the Taitein talo, Kulttuuritalo Virra and school centers.