“Every young worker gets a secondary education”: universal education in rural Yakutia in the 1960-1980s

The present article hinges primarily on the research of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of human resources of rural Yakutia in the Soviet period. The regional experience in implementing the policy of introducing secondary universal education in rural areas is considered. Republican measures to involve working youth in a flexible educational system through educational and advisory centers, part-time and evening schools are highlighted. Difficulties in providing universal schooling for rural schoolchildren and lagging behind the material and technical base of educational institutions in small and remote settlements are pointed out. According to the study, in the period of 1960-1980s, the network of rural schools of different forms of education expanded in the republic and the number of secondary school students increased. Thanks to targeted campaigns, a real breakthrough in the education system occurred, and the level of general education of rural youth and agricultural workers in general was raised.