Análises históricas sobre a educação rural no município de Pato Branco - PR: do processo de criação ao fechamento de escolas rurais (1950-1982)

Abstract

This master's research is linked to the research line Society, Knowledge, and Education, of the Postgraduate Program in Education, of the State University of Western Paraná (Unioeste), campus of Francisco Beltrão - PR, and aimed to analyze the historical process of creation to closure of rural schools in the municipality of Pato Branco, from 1950 to 1982. The study is justified by the lack of studies on the subject in the proposed area, a knowledge that has been explored and systematized since there are no academic studies developed on the subject. The starting point was the year 1950, when the town of Pato Branco was already prominent in the region, so much so that in 1952 it became an autonomous municipality. The final milestone was in 1982 when Resolution 3.258 was published, which recognized and authorized the operation of all rural schools in activity. The research was based on the following questions: How did rural schools in Pato Branco come about during 1950-1982? How did they operate? What is the relationship between the modernization of agriculture, urbanization, and the schooling process in the municipality? The research was carried out using historical-dialectical materialism as its theoretical-methodological premise, seeking to analyze the contradictions that existed concerning the process of creating and closing/nuclearizing rural schools. From this perspective, the data collection procedures focused on official historical documents, such as reports, laws, decrees, pupil lists, and minutes, which were analyzed and interpreted in their historical, social, political, and cultural context. In addition, they were based on authors who discuss the proposed theme, constituting sources of careful reading. Interviews were also conducted with former teachers and pupils who had worked in various rural schools in the municipality. The analysis and interpretations resulted in the understanding that, due to the decrease in the number of students enrolled in rural schools, they went through a process of disorganized, unregulated closures during the 1970s and early 1980s. The reduction in enrolment was due to factors such as urbanization, fewer children per family, and a lack of municipal incentives. It is hoped that this research will contribute to an understanding of rural education in the municipality of Pato Branco and the southwestern region of Paraná