Establishment of Universal Primary Education System in the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921)

Abstract

The access to education as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of social and political rights represents one of the most significant achievements for the contemporary world. However, until 1917 citizens of Georgia and the broader Caucasus region were denied access to these fundamental rights. After the declaration of Georgia’s independence in 1918 efforts were initiated to establish the universal education system within the newly formed state. This research aims at studying and analyzing the multifaceted process of educational reform during a period marked by military, political, and economic instability. This research addresses the following questions: How were such reforms implemented within the conditions of instability? What forms of political and economic will, as well as the financial resources were requisite for the introduction of a universal education system? Drawing upon archival materials and existing scholarship, this article seeks to explain the dynamics of educational reform, not merely as the construction of an autonomous system, but as an integral component of broader social policymaking. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the historical evolution of education policy in the Caucasus region, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of universal education.