The role and importance of the Main Education Council in the interwar years

This paper examines the role and importance of the work of the Main Education Council, the advisory body to the Ministry of Education in the interwar period. A qualitative study was conducted using the historical method. An analysis of archive material as a historical source suggests that in the mid-1930s the Council acted in the field of education with greater determination and independence. It began to restore its expert influence on all aspects of education policy. The Council gave its opinion, always emphasizing the goal of bringing legislation across the country into alignment and adapting state schools to the needs of the population. Until the establishment of the 6th of January dictatorship in 1929, the Main Education Council had a leading role in education policy. It introduced bills aimed at improving the work of schools. It was the competent authority for school textbooks. It provided support and protection to educators. When the dictatorship was established, the Main Education Council was relegated to a marginal role in the creation and implementation of education policy. The majority of proposals it put forward were not implemented in practice. Didactics was prescribed by the government, significantly limiting creativity in educational practice.