1958 – The Donnino Institute for Deaf Education in Vignale (Novara)

Foundation and Origins

The Opera Pia Donnino stands as a testament to charitable vision in deaf education. Located in Vignale near Novara, this institution owes its existence to Angiolina Berrini, widow of Giovanni Donnino. In 1913, she designated her estate through testament to support education and care for individuals with disabilities, honoring her late husband's memory.

Royal Decree established the foundation as a moral entity on July 24, 1936. After construction of the educational complex—equipped with modern amenities for its time—the Board of Directors launched a program specifically for deaf students. They established a school for deaf pupils, entrusting its operation to the Fathers of the "Small Mission for the Deaf," headquartered in Bologna.

Educational Programs Begin

The Donnino Institute opened Italy's first vocational training school for deaf students in 1958. This pioneering program operated until 1962, when national law transformed vocational schools into mandatory middle schools for all students.

In September 1958, the Small Mission congregation appointed Father Arturo Elmi as director. Elmi brought extensive professional experience in deaf education. His leadership proved exemplary, continuing until 1964. However, the original agreement was not renewed, and the congregation transferred the secondary school to the Gualandi Institute in Florence in 1964.

Key Leadership Figures

Giovanni Donnino provided the family name and initial inspiration. His widow Angiolina Berrini transformed that memory into concrete action. Father Arturo Elmi guided the school during its formative years, establishing educational standards that would influence deaf education throughout Italy.

The Antonella School Era

The Gualandi Institute in Florence became Italy's second vocational training school for deaf students, following Padua's establishment in 1955. After 1965, nearly all Italian deaf institutes were required by law to provide middle school classes.

Following these legislative changes, the Donnino Board of Directors reached an agreement with ENS (National Deaf Association) to manage a professional institute for young deaf women. The program took the name "Antonella," continuing the legacy of a similar Milan institute founded in 1954.

In 1965, the ENS Women's Institute transferred from Milan to its new Vignale location. The program expanded to include middle school classes and an upper school for business secretaries. Director Giannina Barbareschi Rubino, herself deaf, led the institute to achieve excellent results.

Transition and Closure

Opera Pia Donnino continued fulfilling Angiolina and Giovanni Donnino's testamentary vision until after 1977. New legislation promoting integration of deaf students into mainstream schools caused enrollment to decline sharply. By 1979, specialized educational activity had ceased at the Novara school. The agreement with the Donnino Foundation could not be renewed, despite Law 648/78 and Presidential Decree 1148 of October 31, 1981 providing for state management of ENS schools, including Vignale.

From 1979 onward, the foundation no longer provided direct educational services for deaf students. However, it continued supporting the Novara Provincial ENS Section through funding for socio-cultural initiatives and social promotion activities.

On March 24, 1995, Novara Municipal Council passed resolution 642 approving dissolution of Opera Pia and transfer of institute property to the Municipality. The agreement maintained a commitment to provide annual funding to the Provincial ENS Section, preserving the original charitable purposes established by Angiolina and Giovanni Donnino.

Timeline of Major Events

• 1913 – Angiolina Berrini's testament establishes foundation for disabled persons in memory of Giovanni Donnino
• 1936 – Opera Pia Donnino receives official recognition as moral entity
• 1958 – Board approves deaf student education; Small Mission for the Deaf begins managing secondary school for deaf students
• 1964 – Opera Pia does not renew agreement; Small Mission transfers school operations to Gualandi Institute in Florence
• 1965 – ENS National Headquarters accepts management of Donnino complex for professional women's institute from Milan
• 1966 – ENS "Antonella" Women's Professional Institute transfers from Milan to Vignale
• 1979 – ENS Women's Institute in Vignale ceases operations
• 1980 – Opera Pia Donnino ends direct educational activities for deaf students
• 1995 – Opera Pia Donnino dissolves; Novara Municipality assumes property with obligation to fund local ENS promotional and social activities

Educational Leadership

Secondary School for Deaf Students (Small Mission)

Father Arturo Elmi served from 1958-59 through 1962-63

Father Antonio Loreti served from 1963-64 through 1965

Antonella Women's Professional Institute (ENS)

Gianna Barbareschi directed from 1965 through 1978

Related Historical Institutions

• 1872 – Small Mission Congregation of Bologna
• 1932 – National Deaf Association Central Headquarters in Rome
• 1954 – ENS Professional Institutes for Men and Women in Milan

"History serves as witness to the times, light of truth, life of memory, teacher of life" – Cicero

"History proves useful not because we read the past, but because we read the future" – M. D'Azeglio

"We must remember the past to build the future well" – V. Ieralla

Research and Documentation: Franco Zatini – Reference is091 (1995)