LEGAL REGULATION OF EDUCATION IN THE WESTERN UKRAINIAN PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC

Abstract

The legal sources and features of education issues regulation in the Western Ukrainian People's Republic (further – ZUNR) are researched. The historical preconditions of statehood formation on the territory of Western Ukraine are shown; the role and features of the State Secretariat of Education and Creed are determined. The activity of the heads of the Secretariat – O. Barvinsky and A. Artymovych, are analyzed. Under their governance former Austrian educational institutions were declared state-owned and a number of national Ukrainian educational institutions and teachers' seminaries were nationalized and Ukrainian was used as an instruction language at schools. The secretariat was divided into four divisions: special (professional) schools, public schooling, secondary schools and gymnasiums as well as the division of confessional affairs. It published «The Herald of the State Secretariat of Education and Creed» which contained the Secretariat's orders on appointment and promotion at work, as well as projects of predictable changes in the education system, etc. The law «On the basis of schooling» of February 13, 1919, was one of the most important legal acts regulating educational issues. It stipulated that all public schools in the Western region of the Ukrainian People's Republic were state-owned, and teachers were civil servants. Ukrainian was determined to be the instruction language in all public schools, as well as the state language in all governmental institutions, moreover, national minorities were allowed to teach in their mother tongue. The lack of experienced teaching staff was sharply felt, and therefore, people without university degree were hired frequently. The authorities of ZUNR as well paid attention to the social protection of teachers, and for this purpose a number of legislative acts concerning wages, pensions and various benefits were adopted. All teachers of public schools were supposed to make an official oath of allegiance to the state and the people. In conclusion, the leaders of the Western Ukrainian People's Republic understood the significance of education in the creation of Ukrainian statehood, took care of its development, and ensured its legal regulation in the form of laws and orders. Though, they were lacking skilled personnel, material resources and funds for the effective development of education.