“Physical Education: Rui Barbosa’s primary education reform project within the teaching programs of Brazilian schools

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the text is to discuss the convergences of the Reform Project and Rui Barbosa’s opinions into the discourses and practices of physical education in the teaching programs of School São Luís de Itu (1880 – 1918), College Mackenzie – Escola Americana (1890 – 1918), and School English Model – The Anglo Brazilian School (1890 – 1917).
DEVELOPMENT: This bibliographical and documentary research mostly uses the “Obras Completas de Rui Barbosa” selection and periodicals from the historical period of the research cutoff point. The revisited documentation reveals the influences and experiences that continue in school programs, particularly from body education at educational establishments toward the incorporation of school physical education through gymnastics, military instruction, and sports in the school program of different establishments. These influences, perhaps by combination, overlapping, and/or mimicry, influenced the choice of sports practice, such as football, instead of cricket, as a way of attracting parents of students motivated by free competition in that context from the formation of modern man.
CONCLUSION: The boundaries between Rui Barbosa´s Project and the educational ideals of the mentioned educational institutions intersect in the fragility of the social boundaries and the sharing of physical education within teaching programs.