Our analysis focused on the establishment of the curricula of lyceums and the consolidation of the programme for modernity in Portugal, from the nineteen thirties to the fifties. The New State, however, a conservative and nationalist regime, while losing touch with concerns like extending schooling and the theses of a single secondary education, put back on the agenda the issue of the identity of education performed in lyceums. The discussion was focused, particularly, on three pillars: the goals of education in lyceums, the curricular organization and democratization. Our study was centred on the objectives established for lyceums and the organization of its curricula. Herein, we address the controversy about the class regime and the subject regime. We carried out the discussion and the decisions taken on the duration and structure of the study cycles. Connected to the objectives proposed for lyceums, the topic of the subjects which should or should not be included in the studies plan and the grounds on which such choices were made gained additional importance. As sources for our study we selected in particular the legislation which supported the changes to the curricula and subject plan, the diaries of the National Assembly and the opinions of the Corporativist Chamber addressed in this case, as well as publications by the media specialized in education and teaching, without losing sight of the perverse effects of the censorship.
education at lyceums; secondary education; Lyceums; New State; National Education
