Dmitry Tolstoy was appointed as Minister of Education. He was a staunch Orthodox believer and felt a tight control over education was essential to eradicate Western liberal ideas and growing criticism of the autocracy.
zemstva's powers over education were reduced The Church regained its authority over rural schools
In the universities, more liberal courses replaced by a traditional curriculum. Censorship was tightened and there was strict control over student activities and organisations. "
More state teacher-training colleges were set up, but this was to increase Tsarist control, rather than to improve education. "