Organisational and Pedagogical Prerequisites for the Development of Pedagogical Education in Transcarpathia in Late XVIII – First Half of XIX Century

This study analyses the historical preconditions of the process of developing the profession of a pedagogue, institutionalisation of theoretical pedagogy, as well as their interaction that was going on in the first half of XIX century. In the period from the late XVIII century and the first half of XIX century, Transcarpathia was part of the Hungarian Kingdom, while the latter formed an integral part of the Habsburg Monarchy. New capitalist relationships emerged among feudal ones. Handicraft industry, manufactories and commerce are developed, consumer relationships are established in agriculture, and a new social class is formed – the bourgeoisie. All of the factors mentioned above exercise significant influence on education. On 22 August 1777 Maria Theresa issued the first national document on state administration of educational affairs in Hungary, the “Ratio Educationis”. The main task of the reform in the political spirit of enlightened absolutism was to eliminate illiteracy as well as to give education to as many children as possible. The educational system that was formerly subordinated to the church now was under the authority of the state. Ratio Educationis also included the 1776 provision on school districts as well as a new school type: the normal school (a type of institution consisting of two departments: a three-class public school in the primary school department and teacher-training in the senior class department). The establishment of this new school type significantly intensified the process of developing early institutionalisation of teacher training. The monarch's edict establishing a new school type regulated the issues of teachers' training, qualification, employment, as well as control over their work. In 1793 in the Transcarpathian Uzhhorod normal school was established where the teacher-training course lasted five winter or summer months. On 14 November 1806, a new edition of “Ratio Educationis” was issued systematizing the previously issued laws, edicts, directives (by now the teacher-training department of normal school was “schola praeparandum”). In 1834 the Uzhhorod teacher-training five-month course was prolonged to ten months. In 1841 the first seal of the institution was made with Hungary's coat of arms and a Latin inscription: Sigillum gr. cath. Scholae Praeparand. Ungvariensis 1841. According to the 1845 “Systema Scholarum” educational reform, the training period was extended to two years. Moreover, teacher-training was not an independent educational establishment anymore; it functioned within the normal school.