Since it was the first Mining School in Brazil, it can be said that the School of Mines, which this year completes 147 years, has participated in the mining and metallurgical history of the country. But it is also possible to include in this story both primary and secondary education, as well as the economy.
Having been hired by Emperor D. Pedro II, a Frenchman by the name of Henri Gorceix, from the beginning, was concerned about the quality of the primary and secondary education that he found in the capital of Minas Gerais, which at the time was Ouro Preto. He prepared classes and wanted to instruct the teachers, but they refused to participate in his classes. Even so, he communicated to the president of the provinces that he would not give up on his intention.
The years have gone by, and since asking doesn't offend, I ask: “has current Brazilian education improved?” Buarque (2023)BUARQUE, C. Jogar a favor das escolas. Veja, edição 2849, ano 56, n. 27, 12 jul. 2023. Disponível em meio digital e impresso., former rector of UnB, in his column in Veja, gives an interesting answer: THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION is not satisfied with losing the soccer World Cup every four years, but it is not embarrassed to be among the last placed every year in the evaluation of educational systems carried out by Unesco. The column is worth reading.
But then we wonder why ProUni (a University for All Program), which is known today for its great reach, has such an enormous lack of students. In his time, Gorceix was a scholarship holder of the French government, and as such, he asked for a scholarship for the first students of the School, and if necessary, to be allowed to financially collaborate with the payment of the said scholarships. He justified this as follows: Educated at the École Normale Supérieur de Paris under similar conditions, I contracted a debt to my country, which I will happily repay in Brazil, where I have the honor of being in a service that my masters taught me to love whatever country I might serve.
Who knows, maybe the Brazilian government could transform PROUNI's or Student Financing Fund (Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil - Fies) debts into volunteer work, taking advantage of this excellent workforce. This use was done, or still is, by the French Government.
Regarding economics, Gorceix also opined: For me, and it is a principle accepted by all, all industrial enterprises of whatever nature they may be, should encounter in Government all animation and assistance possible. Now, as the first consequence of this principle, the administration must in no way hinder private initiative, either by the laws that it presents to Parliament, or by the regulations that must govern the execution of these laws, and especially must not make it too costly, or too difficult for private individuals to obtain the necessary amounts to carry out their projects.
According to the biographer of Pandiá Calógeras (former EMOP student), he criticized our tax system, showing how it is all based on the defense of interests that are not those of the most numerous and productive class in Brazilian society, and is essentially based on the sacrifice of the less wealthy classes.
According to the same author in the 1912-1914 legislature: Calogeras, in relation to the government of Marshal Hermes, analyzed throughout this ill-fated period the new responsibilities of the Treasury and the calamitous effects of the policy of waste. He always highlighted the blatant contradiction between the program for new economies and the postponable expenses, increasing the deficit. Are we going through this phase again?
Presently, Brazil is trying to make a tax reform feasible, and it is certain that other examples of the participation of those who passed through the School of Mines can be given for the above mentioned areas, and who knows, finally, we can dream of the end of this long period of Brazil being the country of the future.
References
- BUARQUE, C. Jogar a favor das escolas. Veja, edição 2849, ano 56, n. 27, 12 jul. 2023. Disponível em meio digital e impresso.
- CARVALHO A. G. Calógeras. São Paulo: Companhia Editora Nacional, 1935. 210 p. (Coleção Brasiliana, v. 54).
- SILVA, C. B. Claude Henri Gorceix: the man, teacher and work. Rem - Rev. Esc. Minas, v. 67, n. 3, p. 319-340, 2014. Artigo Especial. Disponível em: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0370-44672014000300012.
» https://doi.org/10.1590/S0370-44672014000300012.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
25 Sept 2023 -
Date of issue
Oct-Dec 2023
