Russian-Kirghiz Two-Class School

Historical Background

The Russian-Kirghiz Two-Class School is one of the oldest sites connected with the history of public education in the Aktobe Region. The first educational institution in the Aktobe uyezd was opened in 1881 in the Borte area. Later, a special school building was constructed in the uyezd centre, and its construction was completed in 1883. By the beginning of the 1884 academic year, the school had moved into this building.

One of the first teachers of the school is considered to have been Arseniy Mazokhin, a graduate of the Kazan Teachers’ Seminary and a student of Professor N. Ilminsky. The development of education in the Aktobe uyezd is also associated with the educational work of Ybyrai Altynsarin. Therefore, this building reflects not only the history of a particular school, but also the formation of secular education in the region.

Description of the Monument

The building is a one-storey stone structure with a floor plan shaped like the letter “П”. It was built of stone and fired brick. Its architectural solution is simple and functional, which was typical of public buildings in uyezd towns in the late 19th century. The total area of the building is 988.5 m², and the built-up area is 1,500 m².

In later periods, the building was adapted for other functions and was used as an inpatient facility of the regional dermatovenerological dispensary. Although the façades were later covered with modern materials, the historical significance of the building as one of Aktobe’s earliest educational sites has been preserved.

Opening of the Monument

No exact information about a formal opening ceremony has been preserved. However, according to historical data, construction of the school building was completed in 1883, and from the 1884 academic year it began to be used for educational purposes. This marked an important stage in the development of systematic education in the Aktobe uyezd.

Why is this monument important?

This site is valuable as one of the oldest educational buildings in Aktobe. It reflects the emergence of public education, the local community’s aspiration for learning and the social and cultural changes of the late 19th century.

The school building is an important monument of the city’s history, connected with education, enlightenment and public development. Its inclusion in the list of historical and cultural monuments of local significance confirms its historical value.
What can you notice when looking at the monument?

When looking at the building, pay attention to its restrained architectural form. The П-shaped layout, one-storey structure, and use of stone and fired brick are characteristic of public buildings of the late 19th century.

The main value of this site lies not in decorative splendour, but in its historical function. It is one of the places where the history of education in the Aktobe Region began.

Did You Know?

In official documents of the 19th century, the word “Kirghiz” was often used to refer to the Kazakh population. Therefore, the historical name “Russian-Kirghiz School” should be understood today as a Russian-Kazakh school.

It is also known that a boarding facility for Kazakh children operated at the school. This was an important step that allowed children from distant areas to receive education.

Read More

1. Adilet Legal Information System of the Republic of Kazakhstan. State List of Historical and Cultural Monuments of Local Significance of the Aktobe Region
2. Aktobe newspaper. Kone gimarattar — tarikh kuageri
3. Ruh.kz. Birneshe ukimet. Bir koshe