Contribution of Moscow University to the development of schools in the Moscow school district in the early 19th century

Introduction. The article explores the role of Moscow University in the formation and development of secondary and primary education institutions. One of the main means of university control of schools was a number of professors’ visits. Methods and materials. The author applies the principles of historicism, objectivity and consistency. For the first time, systematic reports from visitors and reports of trustees of the Moscow school district for the period 1803-1811 stored in the Russian State Historical Archive are used as the main sources for the history of visits. Analysis. Inspection of high schools and district schools of the district was carried out by professors annually. Visitors were appointed by the University Council at the suggestion of the trustee. The main purpose of such trips was to control the economic and education life of schools. After return, they provided the university authorities with review journals, on the basis of which school officials were awarded or dismissed. The visitors were present as deputies from the universityat solemn celebrations dedicated to opening or transforming education institutions. According to the visitors, the main obstacle to increasing the number of education institutions in the Moscow school district was the unsatisfactory condition of a large part of school houses and the lack of capable teachers. This slowed down the pace of converting small public schools into county schools and required additional funds and donations from the local population. Results. Analysis of visitor reports allows us to prove that the professors were attentive to the tasks set for them, tried to visit every education institution located in the provinces they inspected. Visiting trips attracted the attention of the provincial and district authorities, as well as local residents to the needs of education institutions.