Formation and development of female primary education in the province (on the example of Pyatigorsk private girls’ school of A.O. Smirnova) from the 60's of the XIXth century to the early XXth century

The article examines the ways of formation and development of female primary education in the 60-70s of the XIX century. The main provisions of the regulatory framework on the problem are given. Examples of organization of female primary education in provincial towns of the Russian Empire in the second half of the XIXth - early XXth century are shown. The desire of the state to entrust the first level of the female education to the public and private forces is shown. It is revealed and documented that till the end of 50s of XIX century the primary education was beyond the responsibility of state bodies of public education, and since 1859 it was only regulated by the exemplary programs of the Ministry. The cause-and-effect relations of necessity of opening a female school in the region are established. The experience of organization and activity of the first private female elementary school in Pyatigorsk in 60-70-s of the XI century is studied. The role of school organizers is revealed, the activity of A.O. Smirnova, the head of the school, is evaluated in particular. It describes conditions for development of female primary education in the center of resort area - the Caucasian Mineral Waters in the North Caucasus. The role of intellectuals, representatives of local authorities, and individuals is elucidated. Particular emphasis is laid on the importance of participation of S. A. Smirnov, the director of Caucasian Mineral Waters, and S.M. Grinevich, the town governor of Pyatigorsk, in the opening of the first female primary school.