The contribution of zemstvo institutions to the formation of public education in the Podillya province

Abstract

The article analyses the process of formation and functioning of zemstvo institutions in Podillia from the perspective of cultural and educational space. The political and socio-economic specificity of Podillia province in particular and Right-Bank Ukraine in general largely determined the correction of the zemstvo reform in the region. Zemstvos were forbidden to interfere in the pedagogical process of schools. The state did not assign them the role of rebuilding primary education, but it turned out that as local governments, zemstvos independently expanded their powers. Thanks to the active work of these institutions, primary education became universal. The main achievement of zemstvos in the field of education in Podillia province was the opening and constant financial support of primary schools, the publication of educational literature, and the arrangement of libraries.