Ewolucja systemu szkolnictwa na ziemiach słowackich od czasów oświecenia do lat powojennych

The article discusses the evolution of the education system on Slovak territories from the Habsburg Empire in the Age of Enlightenment, through Austria-Hungary and the First Slovak Republic, to the post-war period of Stalinism. The author underlines the importance to isolate Slovak territories from the historical narration that treats them merely as part of the history of other states. The focus is given to the absorption of many diverse education systems on the Slovak territories, their reception and further changes under partial independence of the First Slovak Republic and thereafter. Educational institutions and their reforms are also presented. The study examines the influence the Catholic Church had on the education system of the First Slovak Republic, the ideologization of education in accordance with the Catholic doctrine and the combination of the public and religious spheres in education that used to be separated. A detailed analysis is given on how the dependence on the Church transformed after a great reform of the system that was undertaken by communists in the post-war period. The model presented in the article shows the long way from religion-based to completely secularized education. It was found that the great influence the Catholic Church had on the Slovak education system was followed by severe consequences in the form of persecutions of the Church during the Stalinist period.