Moderate and Progressive Education Reforms in Spain (1808-1855)

Evolution of Moderate and Progressive Approaches in Spain (1808-1855)

Fernando VII's reign began in 1808. The start of the decade saw an absolutist Spanish formal university curriculum by 1824, known as the Calomarde Plan.

This plan was a major achievement in college, boosting its government. It transformed the figure of the rector while limiting it to the cloister (the process of centralization). Teachers ought to have sound doctrine and be examples of good conduct, and be responsible for the *aprovechamiento* (academic progress) of their students. Access to the chair was in opposition, in which human, moral, and political qualities were valued, as well as academic ones. There were three types of teachers: owners, substitutes, and *sustitutos*. Teachers should organize double classes and give the government accountable information.

The Plan of 1824 covered both the selection for university entrance and human and scientific training in order to form new men. The tests were becoming public.

Liberal Decade and the 1836 Plan

The 1836 plan was published during the liberal decade under the Duke of Rivas. Although it failed to consolidate the ideological principles applied, it represented a pedagogical and political liberal reform. It organized instruction into three grades: primary, secondary, and a third level. Each of the first two was divided into elementary and superior, and public and private. A central national school of public institution was established where teachers would be trained, along with other normal schools in each province.

Amendments and the 1838 Law

In 1838, amendments to the 1836 Plan continued with the law of elementary instruction. This law determined that there should be a primary school for every 400 residents and a public elementary school for every 1400 residents. Requests for free primary education in elementary schools and some outstanding grants for higher classification were opened. In turn, schools for adults and toddlers were opened.

The Pidal Plan (1845)

In 1845, with the triumph of the moderates, the Pidal Plan became public as a state law for education. Its bases were:

• Secularization: Separation of education and the clergy. The state would be free of private church schools.
• Universality.
• Academic freedom.
• Centralization.

To validate the titles of the schools, students should be examined in state schools.

Alonso Martinez's Project (1855)

The 1855 project by Alonso Martinez, representing the liberal wing, brought new elements to the education system reform. It picked up the moderate liberal tradition and called for free primary education and increased output of special careers. It introduced the dependence of public education on the ministry building, as well as the interference of the government in private schools to protect and guarantee teaching quality.