THE EMERGENCE OF THE CENTRAL ASIAN ENLIGHTENMENT MOVEMENT AND IDEAS AIMED AT UPDATING THE FIELD OF EDUCATION (BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY)

This article explores the rise of the Central Asian Enlightenment Movement at the beginning of the 20th century, focusing on its transformative impact on the educational landscape of the region. Triggered by socio-political upheavals, colonial influences, and intellectual currents across the Muslim world, the movement—particularly Jadidism—sought to modernize the traditional Islamic education system and align it with contemporary global standards.Prominent reformers such as Ismail Gasprinskiy, Abai Qunanbaiuly, and Abdurauf Fitrat emphasized the need for new educational institutions, updated curricula, and secular sciences alongside religious instruction. Their advocacy marked a significant departure from rote learning in madrasas and maktabs, promoting instead critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and civic responsibility. Through the “usul-i jadid” (new method), Jadids introduced phonetic reading, history, geography, and hygiene into the school system, aiming to elevate literacy, strengthen national identity, and promote cultural revival.The article highlights the diverse influences on the movement—from the Young Turk Revolution to European educational reforms—and traces its echoes in Soviet-era policies and contemporary educational discourse in Central Asia. Attention is also given to gender equality in education, women’s leadership, and the integration of Enlightenment ideals into social and political reform.This study concludes that the Central Asian Enlightenment Movement was not just an educational project but a civilizational shift toward modernity, rationalism, and self-determination, with long-lasting effects on the region’s identity and development