Transformation of the Soviet education system in the 1920s and 1930s (using the example of Saratov)

During the 1920-1930s, the young Soviet state faced numerous challenges, including the establishment of new governmental bodies and the development of an educational model aimed at fostering citizens with Soviet consciousness. However, the almost total illiteracy of the country’s population at that time brought to the forefront the urgent need for the development of campaign against illiteracy. Saratov, as one of the largest cities in the Volga region, was no exception in this regard. Based on the analysis of archival materials and published sources, application of methods of system, statistical and structural analysis, the author of the article comes to the conclusion that as part of the campaign against illiteracy in Saratov in the 1920-1930s, a modern model of education was created, consisting of secondary mass schools, vocational and higher education. By establishing a comprehensive educational framework, including primary schooling and pathways to vocational and higher education, Saratov played a vital role in advancing the Soviet agenda of literacy and ideological indoctrination. Furthermore, the case of Saratov underscores the complex interplay between educational policy, societal needs, and political imperatives in shaping the trajectory of educational development in the early Soviet era. Moving forward, continued research into local initiatives and their broader implications for national educational strategies will deepen our understanding of the dynamic evolution of education in the Soviet Union.