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First half of the XX century (1900-1950)
Education with great deficiencies: Low schooling rate and high illiteracy rate. Lack of investment and priority: Governments did not consider education as a fundamental pillar for the country's development. Strong influence of the Catholic Church: Although education was supposed to be secular, the Church continued to play a predominant role in educational formation. Oscillation between centralist and decentralist models: There was no stable and organized educational policy. -
Constitutional Reform
Freedom of education is guaranteed and secularization of education is allowed.
In spite of this reform, the Catholic Church continues to have a marked influence until the end of the 1980s. The unification of the educational curriculum in primary and secondary education is sought. -
Educational missions
The missions of Professor Currie (from the U.S.A.) and Father Lebret (from France) arrive in Colombia, diagnosing the educational situation of the country. Their studies reveal problems such as:
Low educational coverage, especially in rural areas.
Lack of trained teachers. Inadequate infrastructure in schools and colleges.
Education began to be conceived as a planned and organized system for social purposes. -
Late 1960s - ILO Mission (International Labor Organization)
A new ILO analysis shows great inequalities in Colombian education. Problems identified: Differences between rural and urban education.
Insufficient infrastructure.
Insufficient teacher training.
The need for a more inclusive and accessible education for all sectors of the population is emphasized. -
First Five-Year Plan for Comprehensive Education
Seeks to improve the organization of the educational system to make it more efficient. Main changes:
Unification of primary education to five years.
Division of secondary education into two cycles:
Technical and practical careers for those who wish to enter the working world quickly.
Access to university and normal schools for higher education.
First attempt at structured educational planning. -
Expansion of the educational system
Growth in school enrollment: More children and young people enter formal education. Increase in the number of schools and colleges, especially in the public sector. Increase in the number of teachers and improvement in the teacher-student relationship. Context:
Growth of the Colombian population.
Rapid urbanization.
Expansion of the industrial sector, which requires more qualified workers.
Despite progress, problems of educational quality and teacher training persist. -
National Pedagogical Movement (FECODE)
The Colombian Federation of Educators (FECODE) launches the National Pedagogical Movement. Objectives:
To study current educational policies.
Propose improvements in pedagogy and teacher training. Impact:
This movement will play a key role in the discussion of the new Constitution in 1991. -
Convention against Racial Discrimination
The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, 1965 and entered into force on January 4, 1969. Colombia signed this convention on September 2, 1981, date on which it committed to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination in the country. It commits to guarantee equal educational rights regardless of ethnic or racial origin. -
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
Measures are adopted to guarantee equal access to education for women and men.
The aim is to eliminate educational barriers that prevent the participation of women at all academic levels. -
Convention against Torture
Colombia signs the Convention against torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment. Importance in education: The principles of respect, inclusion and non-violence are reinforced in educational institutions. -
Constituent Assembly Movement (1989-1990)
The movement for a new Constitution arises, driven by leftist and liberal sectors.
This movement grows after the assassination of Luis Carlos Galán, presidential candidate of the Liberal Party.
Objective: Redefine fundamental rights, including universal access to education. -
Convention on the Rights of the Child The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is ratified.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989.
Colombia ratified it on January 28, 1991, committing itself to guarantee the fundamental rights of children. Commitment of the State:
Ensure the comprehensive education of all children.
To guarantee their physical, mental and social development.
To protect them from any type of violence or exploitation in the school environment. -
Political Constitution of Colombia
Recognition of the right to education as fundamental.
Compulsory basic and secondary education.
Participation of educational activists in the drafting of the Constitution.
Public policies are created to guarantee inclusive, free and quality education.