In this article, we have presented interesting information about the activity of the schools of Artsakh of the second half of the 19th century, based on the materials of the periodicals “Haykakan Ashkharh” and “Ardzagank”. A general idea is given about the activities of diocesan, realakan, male, female, mid-class, two-class, mixed gender schools of Artsakh. We have presented the activities of some supervisors (directors) of the Shushi diocesan school, emphasized the peculiarities of their pedagogical views, elucidated the school's internal regulations, the process of educational courses, the ways of educating and teaching students as well as some financial problems based on the facts included in different issues of the periodicals. The article mentions the existence of church parish schools in the north-eastern regions of Artsakh. We also value the activities of the branch of the Armenian Benevolent Society of Shushi, various supervisors, benefactors and other patriots who have played a great role in the long-term process of some schools in Artsakh. The significance of the manuscripts found in the churches of different regions in the educational and cultural life of Artsakh has also been referred to.

KeywordsDiocesan School Realakan College Girls

The role and significance of the national school is emphasized in the system of studying the centuries-old history of Armenian culture. The role of education is especially significant in the preservation of national values and traditions. The article presents a number of issues related to the educational life of Artsakh (at the beginning of the 20th century), one of the regions of Eastern Armenia based on materials published in the “Mshak” newspaper. We have briefly touched upon the policy of Tsarism in the Caucasus, the process of closing and reopening Armenian schools in the Artsakh Diocese. The educational problems of a number of settlements of the Artsakh Diocese are studied in relation with school programs, student and teacher complaints and the activities of the overseers. The activities of the Diocesan School of Artsakh, the Realakan College of Shushi, the Marinsky Girls’ School as well as one and two-grade schools of the villages of Tsmakahogh, Hadrut, Maghavuz, Taghavard, Haterk, Voskanapat and Banants are presented in separate subsections according to the information obtained from different issues of the “Mshak” newspaper. The circumstances hindering the development of educational life of Artsakh (related to the law on the confiscation of church property of June 12, 1903, the Armenian- Tatar Clashes of 1905–1907) as well as the activities of individual teachers are briefly highlighted. The charitable works of individual benefactors are appreciated, according to materials from the “Mshak” newspaper.

Keywordsculture parish school Diocesan School Real School Caucasus Getashen Gandzasar Eastern Armenia Artsakh gymnasium