Educate

In the pivotal year of 1887, after an arduous journey spanning nearly three years, the completion of the railway connecting Matadi to Kinshasa in the Congo River Basin marked a historic milestone. This achievement not only symbolized the fulfillment of ambitious infrastructural goals but, more significantly, heralded the commencement of Congo's journey into a stage of normal development.

The strategic railway, now traversing the heart of the Congo River Basin, emerged as a conduit for the seamless exchange of Congo's abundant natural resources with the goods and commodities of Europe and America. The seeds of this development had been sown during the Berlin Conference of 1884, where participating nations accorded the Congo Commission the authority to levy a 10% import and export tariff.

The fruit of years of dedicated investment in the Congo region, championed by none other than Constantine, finally manifested itself. The financial returns amounted to a substantial 150,000 pounds, a testament to Constantine's foresight and strategic vision.

Prior arrangements with Banning outlined the distribution of these newfound financial gains. A pre-agreed 5% of the Congolese finances would constitute the returns from the royal family's extensive investments, while a generous 10% would be earmarked for the Royal Greek Education Foundation. This foundation, established to champion the cause of education in Greece, emerged as a beacon of progress in the wake of the Congo venture.

Yet, despite the financial successes, a subtle undercurrent of tension prevailed. Constantine, an advocate for strategic investments, had navigated the royal family's funds, exceeding 10 million francs, towards the early development of the Congo colony. However, certain strategic projects, such as Tesla's groundbreaking alternating current system, were exempted from the financial strain.

Constantine's financial acumen and strategic exemptions were driven by a broader vision for the industrialization and progress of Greece. Yet, the pressure of managing significant expenses persisted, casting a shadow over these achievements.

Fortune, however, favored Constantine as years of dedicated effort materialized into the first substantial income. In the form of two checks handed over by Schmidt, the Royal Greek Educational Foundation now held the key to unlocking a new chapter in Greece's educational landscape.

With a keen understanding of the transformative power of education, Constantine's emphasis on compulsory education transcended the conventional boundaries. Compulsory education, in his vision, was not just a tool for imparting knowledge; it was a strategic instrument for shaping a cohesive national identity, especially in a region as historically and ethnically diverse as the Balkans.

The Balkans, situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, had witnessed the ebb and flow of major empires, from the Alexander Empire to the Ottoman Empire. This historical tapestry had woven a complex fabric of multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities. The continuous rule of empires had, over time, diluted individual identities, creating a mosaic where the sense of nationality was often blurred.

The assimilation process had been further compounded by the Balkan Peninsula's mountainous geography, isolating communities and hindering communication. Dialects flourished in remote mountainous regions, where illiteracy prevailed, and the absence of a common script in Ottoman Turkey further impeded assimilation.

In this unique historical context, compulsory education emerged as a potent force. Constantine's strategy was clear – by exposing individuals to Greek education, especially in regions with ambiguous identities, a newfound sense of Greek identity could be instilled.

As the funds from the Congo venture materialized, Constantine, flanked by key members like Koledis, a seasoned banking professional, and Ichios, the esteemed rector of the University of Athens, convened in the conference room to deliberate on the future of compulsory education in Greece.

The momentous occasion warranted a comprehensive plan that extended beyond financial allocations. The £100,000 windfall sparked discussions on how best to utilize the funds for maximum impact. Koledis, leveraging his financial expertise, proposed a phased approach, prioritizing education in urban centers where feasibility was higher. Given the reluctance of farmers in rural areas to embrace schooling, the executives envisioned a gradual expansion into such regions as funds became more abundant.

Constantine, in his characteristic strategic manner, envisioned the Royal Greek Educational Foundation as not just a purveyor of knowledge but a catalyst for transforming the socio-cultural landscape of Greece. The executives, armed with financial prudence and educational insight, set forth on a path that would redefine the contours of compulsory education in Greece, a journey fueled by the financial success of the Congo venture.