The Master thesis on “The Impact of History and Economy on Life and Work at Gornji Logatec Primary School” analyses the natural, geographical and cultural sights of Logatec, the development of education in Slovenia as a reflection of societal, political and economic changes, the impact of economy on the development of primary education in the Logatec Valley, the history of Logatec Primary School and the impact of education on life in Logatec. These aspects are studied from a historical point of view focusing on the beginnings, the years preceding Maria Theresa’s reign, the period that saw the enforcement of three state laws on primary education, the interwar period, the period beginning after World War II and ending with Slovenia’s independence, as well as modern education since the independence and up to the present day. The main object of the thesis is the impact of sociopolitical and economic conditions on the primary school in Gornji Logatec, which underwent significant changes during the economic development of the Logatec Valley in the second half of the 19th and in the first half of the 20th century. While the newly built railway fostered the economic development of Dolnji Logatec, Gornji Logatec declined in importance and its primary school lost its privileged position. With Logatec becoming the administrative centre of one half of the Inner Carniola as well as the seat of the judicial district for the whole area covered by the district authority, the population structure began to change. The entire period witnessed repercussions of the economic development on education. The thesis adopts an analytical and problem-based approach to the study of the development of education in the light of the events taking place in Logatec. The impact of the historical and economic conditions on the development as well as on the stagnation of Gornji Logatec Primary School is demonstrated through a theoretical analysis of the relevant sources and literature as well as through qualitative research consisting of semi-structured interviews with former teachers and students of Gornji Logatec Primary School. The reason for a decrease in the number of children attending the school and the consequent changes in the organisation of the educational and training process is shown by means of a historical paradigm. Despite all the changes occurring up to the present day, the primary school has maintained an important role in training, education, community bonding, culture and sports in the town. Far from being a mere part of the ideological state apparatus, the school is an autonomous and human institution with an impact on the further development of the town, its various social groups and the society as a whole.
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