Education Reform 1863-64

• Traditionally, the Russian Orthodox Church ran the limited education system in Russia.
• There was a need in the 1860s was to modernise Russia through a more technical and forward-looking curriculum.
• Emancipation also meant that there was a need for greater basic education in literacy and numeracy.
• Liberal Education Minister Alexander Golovin carried out these reforms
• Universities were given the freedom to run their own affairs including the appointment of professors with approval from the Ministry of Education.
• Responsibility for local education was transferred from the Church to the zemstva.
• Primary schools that only taught religion and basic skills and fee-paying secondary schools were established across the country.
• Education was made available to all regardless of class or gender.
• The number of children in primary education increased 3 times between 1856 and 1880.