The Reform of Secondary Education in Spain

Abstract

General histories and monographs on Spain abound, though one must be particularly careful of more recent works which are apt to show unfortunate bias--both pro and con.3 Only some points of historical background are essential to an understanding of the long-term condition of education in Spain. Since it is almost axiomatic that at least a minimum of peace and stability is necessary for the preservation and efficient management of a system of education, one wonders how schooling has managed to survive and operate in the Spain of the last 150 years. Indeed, the fluctuating political situation has not allowed a prolonged period of peace since the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Spain was already in a state of turmoil when King Charles IV surrendered the throne to Napoleon on May 6, 1808, and the resulting war of independence left Spain prostrate in 1815. The return of the Bourbons in the person of Ferdinand VII and the beginning of perennial struggles between political factions did little to help restore peace or build up Spain. From Ferdinand to Franco the nation has suffered an