Teacher Training Reforms in Spain: The Second Republic Decrees

Structure of Normal Schools Before 1931

There would be a Normal School by province, except Madrid and Barcelona, which would have two each. Santiago would also have a Normal School. The scheme would be co-educational, with teachers of both sexes. Admission to teacher training colleges would be by competitive examination (opposition), requiring applicants, among other conditions, to be over sixteen years old and possess the high school diploma (Bachillerato).

The training period covered the following areas of study:

• Philosophical, pedagogical, and social studies
• Special Methodologies and art materials
• Practical courses

Three written tests were established for those students whose qualification might offer doubts. The third period of teaching practice would be done during a full school year in national primary schools under the direction and guidance of teachers of the Normal School and the Inspection of Primary Education. Student teachers, as they were called in the decree, would receive the entry salaries of the salary scale. When they were permanently appointed after the exercise period, their salary would be 4,000 pesetas a year.

If there was a need, the teachers could be assigned to school children, classifying them in the first class, “as the co-education scheme did not extend to all primary schools.” The decree was received very differently.

Normal School Reform During the Second Republic

The Decree of July 3rd: Magisterium Selection

The decree of July 3rd on the selection of the Magisterium, although it does not relate directly to Normal Schools, has a relationship with them as it suppressed the opposition examination. This was replaced by professional selection workshops to be held for three months and divided into three parts:

1. Classes in Normal Schools
2. Teaching practices and lessons in primary education
3. Cultural orientation in universities

This questionnaire covered three key aspects of the preparation required of a teacher: general education, educational training, and professional practice.

The Decree of September 29th, 1931: Core Reforms

The real reform of the Normal School was established by the decree of September 29, 1931. This reform had been debated for several days by the Council of Public Instruction, and they had to compromise some of its early directives, leading to the college readiness to accept the preparation of the Magisterium in renovated Normal Schools. We do not reproduce here key parts of the preamble to the decree of September 29.

In the operative part of the decree, three periods of teacher training were established:

1. Culture: This period would take place in national secondary schools (high school diploma required to access the Normal Schools).
2. Vocational Training: This would be carried out in the Normal Schools themselves.
3. Teaching Practice: This third period would be in national primary schools.