Primary Education during the Colombian Federation: The School Reform of 1870

Abstract

RADITIONALLY, HISTORIANS HAVE DISMISSED Colombian Federation (1863-1886) as an era of hopeless civil warfare which prepared way for rule of Rafael Nufiiez and Regeneration. It is clear that Rionegro Constitution of 1863, imposed by a faction of Liberals known as Radicals, so limited central government that it was powerless to maintain order among nine sovereign states.' The anti-clericalism of government heightened Conservative animosity and alienated more moderate Liberals. Regional uprisings were frequent. In his book La federation en Colombia, Jose de la Vega lists, for twentythree year period, one civil war, twelve revolutions, two coups d'etat, and six years of widespread agitation.2 While no one would deny that political confusion was prevalent during Federation, an over-emphasis on anarchy has obscured at least one positive accomplishment of Radical regime-the expansion of popular education. The Organic Decree of November 1, 1870, was Colombia's first attempt to establish a national system of obligatory, lay education. This decree began an intensive school reform that one writer has called the golden age of Colombian education.3 Periodicals of day reflected public concern over primary instruction that characterized this era. Opposition to reform contributed to outbreak of Civil War of 1876-1877 and hastened decline of Radicals. A review of reform movement-its background, its controversial nature, its successes and failures -gives new insight into Federation Era as well as revealing a significant episode in development of Colombian education.