Abstract

MOLINA JIMENEZ, Iván. Literacy and School Coverage in Latin America: The First Costa Rican Educational Expansion (1750-1830). Desacatos [online]. 2011, n.37, pp. 125-144. ISSN 1405-9274.

This article argues that from 1750 to 1830 Costa Rica experienced the first expansion of the school system encouraged by the Borbonic Reforms, the Constitution of Cadiz (1812) and the new political order after independence from Spain (1821). Literacy mainly expanded between small and medium producers male children from urban and rural settings. However, starting in the 1830's, Costa Rica experienced a decline in literacy product of three processes. First, the colonization of new land separated the immigrants from existing educative infrastructure. Secondly, the gap created by the lack of investment in education and its relation with demographic growth. Thirdly, the reduction of the amount of municipalities created on an expanding country (municipalities were in charge of the administration of elementary schools).

Keywords : education; literacy; Bourbon Reforms; Cadiz Constitution; Costa Rica.