Oleksa Tykhyi (1927–1984) and his Pedagogical Vision

Abstract

The article examines the life and pedagogical heritage of Oleksa Tykhyi, a leader of the national liberation movement, dissident and educator, a native of Donetsk region. The relevance of the study is substantiated by the importance of considering O. Tykhyi’s contribution to the development of Ukrainian education in the context of modern Ukrainian education and national identity. It is emphasised that the history of Ukrainian education and pedagogical thought, in particular the activities of O. Tykhyi, is an important element of thematisation of the history of Donetsk region, which contributes to the return of this region to the national cultural context.

The study is based on numerous sources, including biographical materials, memoirs of contemporaries, as well as publications that reveal the human rights and pedagogical aspects of O. Tykhyi’s activities, which allowed a comprehensive and objective assessment of his pedagogical heritage.

The author presents O. Tykhyi’s pedagogical heritage: articles “On the Problems of School Education Reform”, “At the Crossroads of Opinions”, “Homework”, “Thoughts on Education”, “How Do I Imagine the School in the Future?”. O. Tykhyi’s innovative pedagogical ideas are presented in the form of a table (based on a letter to M. Mykytiuk).

The article presents the pedagogical conception of O. Tykhyi and defines its significance for modern education in Ukraine, in particular, focuses on his approaches to education and the integration of national culture into the educational process. The author reveals O. Tykhyi’s pedagogical vision, which is based on moral and ethical values. It is substantiated that its basic principles – national spirit, internationalism, national orientation, polytechnic approach and labour component – can serve as the basis for the development of a comprehensive educational model that meets the needs of modern Ukrainian society.

It is found that O. Tykhyi’s pedagogical views are still relevant today, especially in the context of the need to form a national consciousness and love for the native language and culture in the younger generation.

A biographical note on Oleksa Tykhyi is published, which will be included in the encyclopaedic biographical dictionary “Educators of Ukraine” (second half of the nineteenth – early twenty-first century). The directions for further research of his pedagogical heritage are suggested.