Maria Theresa is one of the most significant historical figures when we talk about the beginnings of systematic education in Croatian countries. She was a supporter of reforms which helped her to change the situation in eduaction at that time. Prior to the reforms of Maria Theresa, education was mostly related to monasteries and priests who taught boys within their monasteries. Under the influence of the Enlightenment, Maria Theresa, with her co-ruler, the eldest son Joseph II. decides to make changes to the existing school system. Therefore, in 1774, she makes a provision called „Allgemeine Schulordnung“ which divided schools into trivial in villages, primary in larger towns and secondary schools in the district or city headquarters. Furthermore, it is talking about the arrangement of school buildings, teaching and schedules for individual classes and even on disciplinary measures. Attending lower schools is becoming an obligation, and the establishment of girls' schools is also recommended. In 1777 she makes a new provision "Ratio educationis" which expanded the already adopted provisions and reformed the school administration. The strong influence of Maria Theresa is also visible in the fact that even after her death the reform of education was continued by her successors.