Figure 1.--This is an hand-tinted photographic portrait of a Russian school boy. I believe that boys at all secondary schools wore uniforms. This was not a military school as such. The portrait is not dated, but one dealer suggested the 1880s. Click on the image to see the coat worn with the uniform. While this is a tinted rather than a colored print, we be believe the colors here areaccurately produced. A boy and the school would have wanted a realistic representation of the colors. Click on the image to see his uniform coat.

Russia was not much affected by the movement toward public schools tht began in Western Europe (18th century). A factor here was the Reformsation which did not have nuch impact on Russia. We are not sure at this time when Russian began funding state primary schools. Surely emancipation of the Serfs (1861) was a major milestone. Until that educatioin in rural Russiawas very limited. After emancipation, primary educatioin becgins to become more available to the former serfs. Educational oportunity, however, cntinued to be limited. Very few Russian children were able to advance to secodary schools. This was primarily limited to the middle class in the cities. We have few details at this time oin Government education policy. At the time of the Revolution (1917), large numbers of Russians were still iliterate. We suspect that the Orthodox Church played a major role in the schools. Girls were less likely to attend school. For the most part it was middle-class boys attending school. Rich children were educated at hone. Peasant and working class children often did not attend school. Many boys had their heads shaved. Russian revival style bloused tunic or military-style uniforms were often worn to school. A Russian artist has left us a fascinating image of a rural school about 1865. We are unsure at this time about the uniform regulations. Images of rural primary school show the children wearing their ordinary dress. Uniforms seem much more common in urban schools. We are not sure about primary schools. But all of the secondary schools we see shows the children wearing military uniforms. We are not yet sure to what extent there was military training. We think there was a cadet program.

Public Education

Russia was not much affected by the movement toward public schools tht began in Western Europe (18th century). A factor here was the Reformsation which did not have nuch impact on Russia. We are not sure at this time when Russian began funding state primary schools. Surely emancipation of the Serfs (1861) was a major milestone. Until that educatioin in rural Russiawas very limited. After emancipation, primary educatioin becgins to become more available to the former serfs. Educational oportunity, however, cntinued to be limited. Very few Russian children were able to advance to secodary schools. This was primarily limited to the middle class in the cities. We have few details at this time oin Government education policy. At the time of the Revolution (1917), large numbers of Russians were still iliterate.

Religion

We suspect that the Orthodox Church played a major role in the schools. But neiter the Orthodox Church or the large landowners showed much interest in education the huge rural population. In fact a substantial part pf the clergy was itself iliterate.

Gender

Girls were less likely to attend school.

Social Class

For the most part it was middle-class boys attending school. Rich children were educated at hone. Peasant and working class children often did not attend school.

Hair Styles

Many Russian boys had their heads shaved. I am not sure if this was a sanitary measure or akind of military descipline to complement th military style uniforms.

School Uniforms

Russian revival style bloused tunic or military-style uniforms were often worn to school. A Russian artist has left us a fascinating image of a rural school about 1865. We are unsure at this time about the uniform regulations. Images of rural primary school show the children wearing their ordinary dress. Uniforms seem much more common in urban schools. We are not sure about primary schools. But all of the secondary schools we see shows the children wearing military uniforms. There does not seem to have been one national style. Apparently each school established its on uniform. And the syles chasnged over time. We see a range of styles, some were fancier than others eith more military features. The caps in particular were military styles.

Military Training

We are not yet sure to what extent there was military training at the schools. We think there was a cadet program. We do not know if partiipation was compulsory.

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Created: 11:34 PM 4/14/2007
Last updated: 5:35 AM 2/24/2010