The implementation of public education in Ceará: statistical knowledge and liberal policy (1845-1887)

Abstract

The article analyzes how the public education system was implemented in Ceará based on a liberal policy. This policy was based on the principles of the physiocratic political economy of enlightened and rationalist knowledge and built the organization of the school system. The construction of a legal and administrative framework for the school system developed became more complex over the period analyzed and standardized educational practices. To understand how this educational system was implemented and follow the resulting public debate, we analyzed different teaching regulations, provincial laws, newspaper sources and statistical data. Based on this documentation, we realize that the instrument of educational statistics was fundamental for these historical subjects to diagnose the low level of schooling, the insignificant supply of primary education and high illiteracy as a barrier to the development of productive forces in the province.

Keywords:
Ceará; educational statistics; illiteracy