ANDRONYK STEPOVYCH KYIV PRIVATE GYMNASIUM: ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTION PECULIARITIES

Abstract

The article studies the process of establishment of Andronyk Stepovych Kyiv Private Boys Gymnasium in 1906–1913s. The analysis is made on the materials of archival documents of the funds of Manuscript Institute of Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine. The problems that Anronyk Stepovych, the founder of the institution, faced are indicated. The features of the functioning of the gymnasium and its place in the educational process of Kiev at the beginning of the 20th century are shown. Having founded a gymnasium, Andronyk Stepovych tried to improve the educational level of the youth in the region. Special efforts were aimed at attracting children from low-income families to the educational process. Realizing this plan, he had to overcome many organizational, administrative, material, and other difficulties. The introduction of self-management in the institution at the level of teachers and students was one of the important tasks that the gymnasium set itself. However, the tough and inconsistent policy of the Ministry of Public Education did not allow to do this as well as prohibited any independence for private educational institutions. In addition, every year the Kyiv private gymnasium lost a number of privileges, which made the work of the gymnasium impossible. The management and staff of Kyiv educationaldistrict body with their belated orders, meticulous inspections brought the gymnasium to almost complete destruction. As a result, the gymnasium operated in 1906–1913. Over the years, more than a thousand children acquired education at the educational institution where by Andronyk Stepovych Kyiv Private Boys Gymnasium made its contribution to the growth of the number of educated youth of Kyiv region.