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K.D. Ushinsky was in the fullest sense of the word the founder of the Russian primary school and pedagogical training for teachers. His contribution to Russian education was great. Ushinsky’s pedagogical ideas outstripped his time in many ways and were implemented only after his death. His works are not only of historical value today but greatly assist the course of the genuinely people’s education that was the lifetime dream of the outstanding pedagogue, patriot and citizen.
Ushinsky was born in 1834 in Chernigov gubernia (region) in the family of a well-to-do landowner. He learned very early to study independently and, after making a fine record in the gymnasium, Ushinsky was enrolled in Moscow University at the age of 16. He graduated from the University with high honors when he was 20 years old. Two years later, despite his youth, Ushinsky was appointed Professor of Jurisprudence at the Demidov Lyceum in Yaroslavl. His lectures were an immediate success for they were based upon his already considerable erudition. It was then that Ushinsky started criticizing the present educational system in Russia and was forbidden by the Ministry of Education to teach even in elementary school.
In 1855 many teachers who had lost work before could find jobs again. In 1859 Ushinsky was appointed inspector at Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg. In 1860 Ushinsky became editor of the Journal of the Ministry of Education and in two years completely changed its character. Under his editorship its focus was centered upon real problems of teaching, theories of pedagogy and psychology, accounts of educational activities and criticism of current pedagogical literature. Ushinsky’s name became popularly known throughout Russia and at the end of his three years of work there he was already well-known as one of the foremost teachers and guides of educational movement in Russia.
Ushinsky was not only concerned with Russian affairs but was a devout patriot. One of the basic principles of his pedagogical system is the inculcation of a feeling of patriotism in the young people. In his early articles he expressed this view and never changed his basic concept that “education must be based on patriotism”. Ushinsky thought that this could be done best with the help of native language, taught at school. “Rodnoe Slovo” (Native Word) was one of his most famous works.
Ushinsky believed that education should devote itself primarily to the formation of character. According to Ushinsky, “life without serious work can be neither worthy nor happy”. Ushinsky underlined the personal influence of the teacher as an educational force. Ushinsky was interested in foreign educational systems. He made trips to Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Belgium to observe school organization there. He analysed merits and defects of foreign educational systems comparing them with actual conditions in Russia.
After coming back to Russia from abroad in 1867 Ushinsky devoted his energies to St. Petersburg Pedagogical Society. He traveled, lectured, held conferences and continued his research work.