The Pedagogical Reform Movements: building democracy from the classroom

Abstract

This article talks about the actions and discourse of self-organised teachers in the Confederation of Pedagogical Reform Movements (PRM), from the last few years of the dictatorship in the Spanish State. It presents diverse strategies of pedagogical reform linked to a commitment to the real democratisation of social life in teaching: firstly in the work to disarticulate Francoism inside schools, institutes and universities; after 1982 in the conflicts and negotiations with the social democracy for the development of new curriculums and models of teacher training; and afterwards in the resistance to the economic and ideological attack of neo-liberalism. In the analysis of this process we must also consider the alliances or obstacles that these groups found in relation to other social movements, organisations and political institutions. The main sources of information are the documents published in campaigns, congresses, teaching materials, public notices, etc., by the PRM groups in different territories and by the State Confederation of Pedagogical Reform Movements.

Key words: democracy, teacher training, transition, pedagogical renewal, social movement, Pedagogical Reform Movements, self-organisation.