Diálogo Sem Fronteira - Sociedade, História e Educação no Brasil - Dermeval Saviani

Summary

In this insightful dialogue, Professor Demel Savi discusses the historical and social evolution of education, particularly in Brazil. He explores the relationship between society and education, from the origins of human education in primitive communities to its differentiation in capitalist societies. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by Brazil in the development of education due to historical factors like slavery and unequal resource allocation. Despite advancements, the universalization of education remains a complex issue, with quality and accessibility continuing to pose significant challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Education is an essential human activity that begins with the origin of humanity itself, as humans adapt nature to themselves rather than simply adapting to it.
• 😀 In primitive communities, education was intertwined with daily life, with people learning by doing, and knowledge was passed down to future generations through practical experience.
• 😀 The distinction between education for the 'owners' (who had free time) and 'non-owners' (who worked for survival) emerged as societies developed, particularly in ancient Greece with the concept of school as a place for leisure and study.
• 😀 As societies evolved, education became increasingly stratified, with a split between education for the ruling class and education for the working class, reflecting the rise of social classes and private ownership of land.
• 😀 With the rise of capitalism and industrial society, education was increasingly seen as a tool for societal development, becoming more widespread, especially in modern times, when universal education became a key goal of capitalist societies.
• 😀 The development of education in Brazil was shaped by its early capitalist origins, slavery, and agricultural society, which delayed the widespread availability of schooling compared to countries like England.
• 😀 The Jesuits played a significant role in the early educational system in Brazil, but their schools were limited to small elites, and educational access was highly restricted, especially for women, slaves, and the underprivileged.
• 😀 Brazil's education system faced historical challenges, including a lack of resources and political will to prioritize education, leading to insufficient investment and inadequate educational outcomes for much of its population.
• 😀 Although primary education in Brazil was expanded over the 20th century, the quality of education remained a persistent challenge, with high dropout and repetition rates, and many students completing school without being literate.
• 😀 Education in Brazil continues to struggle with prioritization and underfunding, despite policies such as the 1988 Constitution and various education development plans aimed at addressing these issues and achieving universal education.

Q & A

What is the relationship between education and society as described by Professor Saviane?

Professor Saviane explains that education is a fundamental human activity that begins with the origin of man. It is through education that humans learn to adapt nature to themselves. Initially, in primitive communities, education was intertwined with everyday life, and the process of working and living taught individuals how to act on nature and transform it.

How did education evolve with the shift from primitive communities to class-divided societies?

In primitive communities, education was a communal activity, and resources were shared. However, as private property emerged, education became split between the 'owners' and 'non-owners.' The education of owners was separated from that of non-owners, leading to the establishment of schools as a form of leisure for those who were not engaged in manual labor.

What role did slavery play in the development of education in Brazil?

Slavery played a significant role in delaying the generalization of education in Brazil. Due to the reliance on slave labor and the exclusion of a large portion of the population, including enslaved people, women, and the poor, education remained restricted to a small elite for much longer compared to other countries with earlier capitalist developments.

Why was education in colonial Brazil primarily controlled by religious institutions like the Jesuits?

In colonial Brazil, education was primarily managed by the Jesuits, who were sent by the Portuguese Crown with the task of evangelizing and educating the indigenous population. However, resources for public education were scarce, and the Jesuits had to rely on their own funds to maintain schools. The education system was limited and focused on a small group of elites.

How did Brazil's educational policies change during the Pombaline Reforms and beyond?

After the Jesuits were expelled in 1759, the Pombaline Reforms aimed to establish a more secular system of education, but this system was still underfunded and lacked proper infrastructure. Educational reforms continued to face challenges, and funding for education remained minimal for much of Brazil's early history.

What impact did the abolition of slavery have on Brazil's education system?

The abolition of slavery in Brazil did not immediately lead to the expansion of education for all. Even after the abolition, the educational system remained underdeveloped, with a significant portion of the population still excluded from formal schooling. It was only with the rise of urbanization and industrialization that education started to expand more widely.

What was the role of the 1934 Brazilian Constitution in shaping education policy?

The 1934 Brazilian Constitution established a budgetary link, requiring states and the union to allocate a portion of their resources to education. This marked a shift in Brazil's approach to education, though compliance with the constitutional provisions remained inconsistent over the years.

How did the Brazilian government attempt to address the challenges of expanding elementary education in the late 20th century?

In the late 20th century, the government implemented various initiatives, such as the Fundef in 1996 and later Fundeb, to address the expansion of elementary education. These measures aimed to universalize access to education and improve the quality of education, although challenges like high dropout rates and poor quality persisted.

What does Professor Saviane mean by the 'universalization of elementary education'?

Professor Saviane refers to the 'universalization of elementary education' as the goal of ensuring that all children have access to education and complete it. While access to schools has increased, the challenge lies in ensuring that students not only attend school but also successfully complete their education without dropping out or failing to meet basic learning objectives.

What are the current challenges facing Brazilian education in terms of quality and teacher support?

The main challenges include the low social and economic status of the teaching profession, which discourages students from pursuing teaching careers. Teachers often work in multiple schools across different neighborhoods, leading to burnout and a lack of quality teaching. There is also a persistent gap in achieving universal literacy and improving the quality of education, particularly in elementary and secondary education.