Historical Discourse of School Education in Georgia at the Beginning of the 20th Century

Abstract

This scientific work studies the historical discourse of school education in Georgia at the beginning of the 20th century, which aimed to overcome and correct the consequences of the colonial educational policy of the Russian Empire (primarily Russification) in Georgian education, to search for new, progressive ideas in both European and Russian educational views, and to share this experience in the process of restoring and forming the Georgian national school.

     On the pages of Georgian magazines and newspapers of this era, we find di­s­cu­ssions on the processes and innovations taking place in the European and Russian edu­cational systems. For example, the most important topic of school discourse was the progressive pedagogical views shared in the Western educational system, inc­lu­ding the „New School Theory“, which was based on the „principles of free up­b­ri­n­ging“. The subject of topical criticism was the „Theory of Intellectualism“ and the issue of „Formal Education“ prevailing in the educational schools of the Russian Empire, etc.

       During this historical discourse, Dimitri Uznadze's „Theory of Experimental Pe­dagogy“ was created, which promoted the consideration of the individual and age-re­lated characteristics of the child in school education. The scientist tried to un­de­r­stand the Georgian educational system and thought that this was not the only theory that could guide the Georgian school.

     In the discussion letters published on educational theories and teaching methods, the influence of the views existing in the advanced educational circles of Europe and Russia of that time is felt, at the same time, the focus of attitudes and values ​​in the national-social context is noticeable. In this regard, the conceptual vision of one part of Georgian educators on the formation of national-character learning methods, which would take into account the „mental and physical qualities of the Georgian student“, the national character and mentality of Georgians, is particularly interesting.