The conception of integral education, based on the idea of full-time schooling, had always been present in the work of Anísio Teixeira. Starting from a justification, in 1930s, still partly influenced by the hygienist-educational atmosphere, it introduces, in 1950s, the proposal of education as a condition to promote the nation and the individualsemancipation. This article argues that Anísio Teixeiras defense of the integral education went through changes, but followed the development of his thought about themes such as mass alphabetization, end of school dualism, and the quality of popular education, which remained a philosophical premise throughout his work.
education; history of education (Brazil); equal education; public policies