The educational institutions (mektebs and madrasas) in Malmyzh District of Vyatka Governorate in the late 19th century

The study examines the key role of primary schools (mektebs) and madrasas in the Malmyzh District of Vyatka Governorate at the end of the 19th century in shaping the educational system, and in preserving the ethnocultural identity and religious-moral values of the Tatar population. Within the multiethnic context of the Russian Empire, these institutions functioned not only as centers of learning, but also as mechanisms for maintaining traditional ways of life. Special attention is paid to the operation of mektebes and madrasas as mosque-affiliated schools sustained by community donations. The study highlights their role in providing basic education and in supporting the cultural and religious identity of the Muslim population. Regional specificities of school organization, community-based funding, and the involvement of the Muslim clergy – including women – are emphasized. Based on archival materials such as district police reports and inspectors’ records from public schools, the research employs historical-systemic, comparative-historical, and statistical methods to reconstruct the stages of development of this educational network.