Ostap Makarushka’s (1867–1931) Contribution to the Development of the Theory of Education

Abstract

The article describes the conceptual principles of education in the creative heritage of the Ukrainian educator, scholar, public and cultural figure Ostap Makarushka (1867–1931). His pedagogical legacy is a valuable source of knowledge for teachers and parents, where one can find answers to a wide range of questions on the problems of education of Ukrainian youth. The scholar wrote the first Ukrainian-language textbook on pedagogy ‘Science of Education’ (1922), which substantiated the theoretical foundations of education. The focus was on the purpose and tasks of pedagogy, its theoretical and practical sources, the content of the concept of ‘education’ as a natural necessity of preparing young people for future life. Valuable for the theory and practice of education is the age-based periodization of the child’s upbringing, which covers three periods of physical and spiritual development from birth to reaching civic maturity; the idea of nationality (the education in each country acquires a national character; education at school should be national, based on the traditions and culture of the people); taking into account gender differences in the upbringing of girls and boys; the basic principles of education (natural inclinations of the child, temperament, physical abilities that determine the direction and means of education; place of birth (the country / town), nature, environment, life circumstances, etc.) and educational institutions (family, school and church) ), which should harmoniously influence the upbringing of young people, complement each other, form respect and esteem in young people. The ideas of truth, goodness and beauty are pervasive in the education of Ukrainian youth. War has a negative effect on the upbringing of young people, it is an inhumane way of solving problems. The means of patriotic education are games, subjects, folk festivals, walks, and others.