Ideology and Education: Soviet Ideological Educational Practices in the Kyrgyz Territory (1924–1927)

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the ideological propaganda applied by the Soviet Union in schools in Kyrgyzstan during 1924–1925. During these years, propaganda was used in its most widespread form in Kyrgyzstan and education became an ideological weapon. I use the document analysis technique for data collection and collected data by obtaining the necessary permissions from the Kyrgyzstan State Archive. The research focuses on the activities carried out by the Soviet Union to have the Soviet ideology adopted in the old tsarist schools and newly opened schools in Kyrgyzstan after the October Revolution. In addition, this study provides primary sources that are not found in the literature on the ideological educational practices of the Soviet administration in Kyrgyz schools. The Soviet administration prioritized the ideological training of teachers and trained them to transfer the Soviet values to students. The Soviet Union implemented a single educational program prepared by Soviet ideologues in schools throughout its territory. The educational content aimed to eliminate completely the national culture and old beliefs of societies. In addition to the education program, they renamed physical areas, such as school and street names, consistent with this ideology.