The article considers the substantiation of the principle of scientific character in the pedagogical heritage of K. D. Ushinsky in the late XIX — early XX century. The author traces one of the aspects of the formation of the construction of a new education system, in which a special place is occupied by the problem of scientific learning in educational institutions of the Russian Empire, the formation of a scientific worldview of students, purposeful teaching methods of scientific cognition, stimulating students’ needs for independent acquisition of scientific knowledge. The priority of the tasks of scientific higher education in the late XIX — early XX century is noted. The article presents the prerequisites for the emergence of national scientific pedagogy in the country and the factors contributing to the consideration of this topic in K. D. Ushinsky’s scientific and pedagogical research. The contribution of K. D. Ushinsky and his contemporaries to the development of the theory of didactic principles, to the development of domestic didactics is noted, their joint search for effective forms and methods of teaching for mastering the content of education in accordance with the requirements of scientific knowledge is presented. Progressive ideas and pedagogical recommendations of K. D. Ushinsky on the issue of professional pedagogical skills and scientific activity of a teacher are considered. The conclusion is made about the possibility of creative use of the accumulated experience in modern conditions.