Resource status of the network of educational institutions of the Caucasian educational district in the late 19th – early 20th century

The article is devoted to the study of the resource status of the network of educational institutions of the Caucasian educational district in the late 19th – early 20th centuries. Attention to this topic is due to the importance of the educational system in the process of integrating the Caucasus into the social and cultural space of the Russian Empire, as well as its role in the modernization of the region. The main goal of the article is to study the resource status of the network of educational institutions of the Caucasian educational district in the late 19th – early 20th centuries, to identify the features and patterns of their distribution, as well as to analyze the role of educational resources in the process of modernization of the Caucasus region as part of the Russian Empire. The article considers the main types of educational institutions that were part of the Caucasian educational district. These are gymnasiums, real and primary schools, as well as mountain schools. Particular attention is paid to the unevenness of their distribution, which had a significant impact on the opportunities for education for residents of remote and mountainous areas. Based on archival data, reports of trustees and other historical sources, an analysis of the financing and equipment of educational institutions is carried out. The system of financing schools, as well as the distribution of funds for the purchase of equipment for classrooms and teaching aids are considered. The study showed that a significant portion of funding came from the treasury, local communities and Cossack troops, which allowed educational institutions to be supported, albeit unevenly. The socio-cultural aspects of the influence of educational institutions on the development of the region are also analyzed. It has been established that, despite certain limitations and shortcomings, the education system contributed to the integration of highlanders and other ethnic groups, providing them with opportunities to gain knowledge and education. The introduction of scholarships and support for students from low-income groups created conditions for social mobility and training of qualified personnel. Thus, the article reveals the importance of the resource base of educational institutions in the context of the modernization of the Caucasus, pointing to the role of the educational system in the formation of the socio-cultural foundation necessary for the development of the region as part of the Russian Empire.