EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS OF ZMYRNIA IN THE 19TH CENTURY

In all periods of history, the Armenian school has been the most important cradle of national education, the spread of enlightenment, and the preservation of existence. In this regard, the progressive activities of the Armenian educational institutions of Smyrna in the 19th century and the patriotic activities of the intellectuals who carried out their activities there are extremely significant, whose main mission was to educate generations as Armenians, to make them aware of their historical origins, and to carry out the work of preserving the Armenian identity. In the article, through a critical study of old press, archival materials, and other professional sources, we have analyzed some issues of a modern educational nature of the Armenian educational institutions of Zmyrnia from today's perspective and valued the significant role of those progressive Armenian intellectuals who studied and then continued to educate Armenian generations in those schools of Western Armenia. As G. Acharyan noted, "Izmir (Zmyrnia) is a rival of Constantinople, even surpassing it in many matters. Armenians there always walk proudly in foreign company. Zmyrnia gave our people famous merchants, great officials and scientists."