Штатные смотрители в организации системы уездных училищ Казанской губернии в первой половине XIX века
Staff Caretakers in Organization of the System of District Schools of the Kazan Governorate in the First Half of the 19th Century

Summary/Abstract: The paper is devoted to the activities of staff caretakers who performed control functions over district schools of the Kazan Governorate in the first half of the 19th century. Based on archival sources, the role of these officials in the organization of the system of district schools was analyzed. Particular attention was paid to identification of the means and methods of implementing the state policy in relation to staff caretakers, as well as to the principles of appointment to this position. It was demonstrated that the status of a staff caretaker was largely determined by their official duties, which were administrative in nature. It was revealed that under their leadership was the entire educational process: they monitored the course of teaching, provided educational literature, supervised the punishment system, managed the economic part of the district school. The powers of full-time caretakers were considered. It was concluded that the financial competence of representatives of the school administration was limited, because cost overruns were strictly regulated by law. Staff caretakers played an important role in the formation and development of public education in the Kazan Governorate. Caretakers were on the periphery of the administrative department, i.e., in collaboration with teachers, local authorities, and the population. They helped to increase the number of schools and to keep elementary schools in good condition. In turn, the administrative status and opportunities of the full-time superintendents of the district school predetermined their involvement in the process of modernization of the provincial society.

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