Figure 1.-- This shool portrait was taken at the Escola Primária Feminina (Girls' Primary School) in Santarém, central Portugal. It was taken in 1940 at the onset of World War II. At the time, compulsory education in Portugal only extended to the 3rd grade. The girls are workig on embrodery. Girls schools and home conomics in coed school sttill tesch sewing, but embroiderthas largely been dropped.

This shool portrait was taken at the Escola Primária Feminina (Girls' Primary School) in Santarém, central Portugal. It was taken in 1940 at the onset of World War II. At the time, compulsory education in Portugal only extended to the 3rd grade. The girls in the photo appear older, and their smocks suggest that they come from families that are not the poorest, where girls started working immediately. Their bare feet suggest that they come from working-class families but not necessarily from the poorest ones. Going barefoot was normal for girls and boys. The photo also shows how the Estado Novo ideology viewed school. (Note the picture hanging on the wall -- "a lição de Salazar -- a lesson of Salazar. And then in smaller print -- "Deus, Pátria, família: A trilogia da educação nacional: -- God, country, family: A trilogy of national education). Our Portugese reader tell us that the goal of school was social stability, not to encourage social advancement, but rather to promote acceptance of one's condition. Also notice the crucifix. The Church was strongly involved in education.

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Created: 4:05 PM 8/5/2025
Last updated: 4:05 PM 8/5/2025