In the Kuban, the Cossacks have long been drawn to knowledge. And that is why even now Cubans honor their ancestors and their traditions, the main of which was the tradition of education. The history of Cossack educational institutions dates back to the first half of the 19th century. We are interested in the first Cossack school in the Kuban, which still operates today.

The first Cossack school was opened in the village of Khadyzhensk in 1914 and is called "Cossack School № 13 named after AD Znamensky" (Cossack School № 13 named after AD Znamyansky). The school ceased to exist for a while, and "revived" only 80 years later - in 1994. The impetus was the adoption of the law "On Rehabilitation of Repressed Peoples", including the Cossacks. In 2005, the school was named after the writer Anatoliy Dmytro Vycha Znamyansky and the ceremonial Cossack uniform of the writer was transferred for eternal storage. Today, it has about 400 students and started with only 97 students. The photo of the first teachers is still in the school museum of Cossack Glory, which operates at the school. When asked how a school differs from a "non-Cossack" one, graduate Maria Dolzhenko (16 years old) said: "Well, there is no male teacher in the school ...

Why so? Because it has to do with the Cossacks. After all, in ancient times men were on the battlefield, and women were engaged in education. Even now this tradition exists in our school. " Pupil Natalia Baliberdina (16), when asked to comment on her studies at a Cossack school, replied:

"We learn a lot. We study the history of the Cossacks in depth. Orthodoxy as well. In addition, Cossacks and atamans often come to us - hold open lessons, tell something interesting… In general, I like to study here. Of course, such feedback is proof that the school principal really cares about his students. The charter of the school, namely paragraph 1.5., States "The school builds its activities taking into account the history of the Cossacks and Orthodox culture, based on the traditional idea of ​​the Cossacks about their spiritual and moral heritage." Indeed, the main direction and difference between the Cossack school and the usual one is the ethnic upbringing of children and adolescents based on the history of the Kuban Cossacks. Director Olena Silverstova does everything to develop Cossack culture among students: created circles, sections with a Cossack orientation.

Teachers have also developed appropriate curricula, according to which students learn in-depth history of the Cossacks. Another interesting point is that during the 19 years of work the school has established close relations with the Board of the Kuban Cossack Army, the Maikop Department of the KKV, district and city Cossack societies, the Cossack Affairs Committee and the Youth Committee of the Absheron District Administration. The Orthodox Church. The school also has a children's youth association "Cossack Savior", which is a body of self-government in the school. Students take care of veterans, collect archival materials for the school museum of Cossack Glory, participate in creative and sports competitions. For active participation in the regional festival "School: Time of Change" the school was awarded a Diploma of the Department of Education and Science of the Krasnodar Territory. "School has its own core, its own face. We are proud of our students! - says Elena Silverstova.

- After all, we are engaged in improving the interaction of the educational process with the ethnocultural features of our region. It is in this atmosphere that our children learn, who become worthy people. " Interestingly, many graduates of the Cossack school №13 in Khadyzhensk continue their studies in higher military educational institutions and seminaries, which is proof that the Kuban Cossack schools must exist and continue to educate true Cossacks and patriots.