Preparation of educational reforms in the Main schools’ directorate, 1803–1804

Abstract

Reforms in the field of education by right are considered to be one of the most important transformations within the reign of the Emperor Alexander I. The main schools’ directorate became the principal advisory body of the Ministry of Public education to which national education in Russia was entrusted. The article analyzes the activities of the Main schools’ directorate between 1803 and 1804, especially the discussions and the process of adoption of the main documents which had fundamental significance for the development of the organization of Russian schools at the beginning of the 19th century. Special attention in this article is paid to the development of projects of university charters. The author concludes that in spite of the difficulties in the current work of the Directorate, the collaboration of the Minister of Education and schools’ trustees laid the foundation for the development of the educational system in Russia. Refs 21.