IN SEARCH OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF

by

Ignez Martins Tollini

Thesis submitted in part-fulfillment for the Ph.D. degree of the University of London Institute of Education February 1997 DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated to:

Vianello and Ritinha (both "in memoriam"),

representing a past of love and commitment to

noble ideals; Helio, representing a happy,

supportive and . fruitful present; Grace, Jerzy,

Isabela and Alana, Helio, Patricia, Hugo and

Priscilla, Paulo, Monica, Pedro and Gabriel,

representing a bright future. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Robert Cowen for his invaluable

2.iiidance in this thesis. His patience and dedication encouraged me during this journey. I also would like to thank my teachers from the "Sacre Coeur de Jesus" and "Notre

Dame de Sion" in Brazil, from whom I learned the intellectual discipline I would need many years later for this thesis. My grateful thanks are due to many other teachers, among them, Dr. Stella dos C. Guimardes Trois, adviser in my Master's Degree at the

University of Brasilia, Brazil, and Dr. Yeakey, adviser for my Master's Degree at

Purdue University, United States. I would like also to extend my thanks to Dr. Maria

Cowen. Brazilian lecktor in the University of London Institute of Education, for her excellent advice and her kindness and patience. I would like to express my gratitude to colleagues in the Secretary of Education - Educational Foundation of the Federal

District, Ministry of Education of Brazil, and University of Brasilia, who were so kind as to obtain documents I needed for this thesis. I am also grateful to CAPES/MEC for financial support for a period during the writing of this thesis. And finally, but most important, of special importance to me, I would like to offer my thanks to the

"committee" of Saints who interceded with God on my behalf during the long but happy journey I have made while writing this thesis. LIST OF CONTENTS

IN SEARCH OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF BRAZIL

DEDICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS LIST OF TABLES 8 ABSTRACT 9

CHAPTER ONE

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM 10

1 . 1 - PURPOSE. ARGUMENT AND ORGANISATION 10 1. - The Time Frame of the Thesis: A Descriptive Overview 11 I.1 - The Arguments of the Thesis 18 .1.3 - Organisation of the Thesis

1.2 - NEW THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES .2.1 - The First Theoretical Perspective: Two Complementary Approaches on the State 15 1.22 - The Second Theoretical Perspective: The State's Relationship to Education 32 .2.3 - The Third Theoretical Perspective: Strategies of the State in Education 37

1.3 - RESTATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM AND ARGUMENTS OF THE THESIS 39

1.4 - CONCLUSION 44

ENDNOTES TO CHAPTER ONE 48

CHAPTER TWO

THE (1930-1945): A MILESTONE IN THE SEARCH FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 56

2.1 - PURPOSE, ARGUMENT AND ORGANISATION 56

2.2 - THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POLICY 57

2.3 - THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ELEMENTARY DUCATION POLICY 63

4 2.4 - THE POLITICAL BASIS FOR THE SOLUTION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROBLEMS 68 2.4.1 - The Convergence of Forces 69 2.4.2 - The Educational Movement of the Pioneers of Education 72

2.5 - THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 77 2.5.1 - Starting Expansion 81

2.6 - CONCLUSION 85

ENDNOTES TO CHAPTER TWO 88

CHAPTER THREE

THE REDEMOCRATISATION PERIOD (1946-1964): EXPANSION OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 95

3.1 - PURPOSE, ARGUMENT AND ORGANISATION 95

3.2 - THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POLICY 96

3.3 - THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION POLICY 104

3.4 - THE POLITICAL BASIS FOR THE SOLUTION OF ELEMENTARY EDUCATION