THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING COMPULSORY NINE YEAR-ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN MINAS GERAIS: ISSUES AND TENSIONS

Abstract

In 2003, compulsory Elementary education was extended from eight to nine years in the State of Minas Gerais, in anticipation of the federal legislation, producing a new institutional framework for this stage of Elementary education. This article is the result of an ongoing study since 2005, which focused on this expansion of elementary education in a municipality within the state which, as a motto for the new policy, publicized the slogan “Agora seu fi lho entra mais cedo na escola” (Now your child starts school earlier) at the end of 2003, to promote registration in the initial cycle of literacy for children completing six years of age at the beginning of 2004. We observed, through the research, that in Minas Gerais the implementation of the proposal was lightweight, without the due preparation of teachers and without any adjustment of spaces to accommodate children with specifi c needs. In the universe studied, unfavourable testimonies are given by children, parents and teachers.