Theory and Practice of Free Education in Russia at the Turn of the 19 th and 20 th Centuries

<jats:p>This article analyzes the key principles behind the development of the idea of liberal education in Russian pedagogy at the turn of the 20th century. Particular attention is paid to the transformation of the perception of the child as a passive object of influence into an independent participant in the educational process. The socio-historical and cultural factors that led to the shift away from authoritarian pedagogical models and the adoption of a humanistic approach to education are examined. The contributions of prominent Russian educators to the development of the theoretical foundation and practical implementation of the concept of liberal education are also presented.</jats:p>