History of Education in Chile: From Colonial Times to Modern Reforms
History of Education in Chile
Early Education (16th-18th Centuries)
The First Schools
In the 16th century, the lack of primary education for children, who primarily worked, led to the birth of the first schools. These were run by parishes, convents, and chapters.
Schools in the Americas
Religious institutions, known as seminaries, novitiates, or convictorios, established the first schools in the Americas. The first school, attached to the cathedral, was led by Juan Blas, a mestizo.
Juan Blas
Juan Blas, a mixed-race individual, was known for his fluency in Mapuche and Quechua, as well as his singing and writing abilities.
Social Classes and Education
Creoles of the highest class attended the San Francisco Javier Convictorio, Jesuit institutions, or seminaries. Wealthier families sent their children to Lima. Children of Arauco chiefs attended the School of Natural Screech.
The Jesuits and Education
The Jesuits held significant educational influence. Their expulsion in 1767 had a considerable impact on Chilean education.
18th and 19th Century Developments
The San Luis Academy
Founded in 1791 by Manuel de Salas, the San Luis Academy served as a professional technical college.
Universities
The first state university, the University of San Felipe, was founded in 1747. Private universities, such as the Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (1622) and the Pontifical University of San Miguel (1623), operated until 1741.
The First Governing Junta (1810)
The creation of the first governing junta did not immediately change society. Chile faced challenges such as military consolidation, economic recovery, and finding suitable political systems. However, regulations for schools and teachers were established.
Rules for Teachers (1813)
Regulations for teachers of first letters were promulgated in 1813.
The National Institute (1813)
The National Institute, under the University of San Felipe, was founded in 1813.
Centralized Education (1823)
The first attempt to organize education under a centralized structure occurred in 1823 with the establishment of a training institute.
The 1833 Constitution and Education
The 1833 Constitution prioritized education, mandated a national education plan, and created the position of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The First Law of Ministries (1837)
Enacted on February 1, 1837, under Joaquín Prieto’s government, this law added the Ministry of Justice, responsible for worship and public instruction, to the existing ministries.
The University of Chile (1842)
The University of Chile was founded in 1842.
Challenges in the 19th Century
The 19th-century education system faced inefficiency and various problems. The government implemented measures to address these issues.
School Guards (1877)
Honorary positions given to prominent residents to monitor teaching work proved ineffective.
Council of Public Instruction (1879)
The Council of Public Instruction was established in January 1879.
20th Century and Beyond
Crisis and Criticism (1891-1920)
Chile faced an educational crisis, with criticisms targeting compulsory primary education, illiteracy, and the limited contribution of secondary education to economic development.
Compulsory Primary Education (1920)
Compulsory primary education was enacted on August 26, 1920, under President José Luis Sanfuentes.
Ministry of Public Education (1927)
The Ministry of Public Instruction was renamed the Ministry of Education on November 30, 1927.
Decentralization and Further Developments
Decentralization, the regionalization of the administrative system, aimed to improve educational management. Darío Salas’s views on centralization and its impact on the system are noteworthy. The transfer of educational institutions to municipalities occurred on May 2, 1980.
National System of Supervision (1981)
Created on January 14, 1981, this system handles monitoring tasks.
LOCE (1990)
The Organic Constitutional Law of Education (LOCE), enacted on March 10, 1990, marked a significant shift towards a free-market approach to education.
MECE
The Ministry of Education’s Program for Improving Quality and Equity in Education (MECE) aims to enhance teaching practices and educational resources. The Project Links, focused on computers in education, is part of MECE.
P-900 Schools
The 900 Schools Program is part of the educational reform, focusing on improving school management and teaching practices.
SIMCE
The SIMCE is a national assessment system evaluating student performance and the educational context.