The efforts of the Orenburg provincial authorities to establish basic education among indigenous peoples in the second half of the 19th century

The article examines the efforts made by the authorities and governance bodies of the Orenburg Province to educate the indigenous peoples in the second half of the 19th century. Most sources which the authors resort to are unknown archival documents. The main focus is laid on the establishment of primary school education for Kazakhs and Bashkirs who inhabited the territory of the Orenburg krai. Disseminating primary education among “inorodtsy” (indigenous peoples), the Orenburg provincial authorities took into consideration the ethnic and confessional specifics as well as the operational style of Muslim schools. The mentality, life style, income and cultural traditions of the indigenous peoples were also considered. Seeking to involve the young generation of “inorodtsy” into the imperial educational system the Orenburg provincial authorities put forth a lot of initiative and creativity, particularly, in creating primary schools where Kazakh and Bashkir children were taught together with Russia children. Alongside with that, in their “provincial educational policy” they exercised caution and foresight by avoiding excessive intervention in the traditional framework of Muslim school education. Due to this policy Muslim schools in the Orenburg Province enjoyed certain independence. The authors conclude that dealing with such a hard and significant matter as educating “Inorodtsy” (indigenous peoples) the authorities and staff demonstrated good knowledge of Russian school education and creative initiative. Consequently, the Russian government while devising an educational policy for the outskirts of the Empire often followed the Orenburg authorities, based on their innovative experience and implemented educational projects.