The Francoism educational grants policy in Higher Secondary Education and Vocational Training (1939-1970)

Abstract

Grants programmes, which were closely linked with overcoming lack of free education, were for a long time extremely weak in the Spanish education system. This research work studies how grants were contemplated in Francoism (Spain) by focusing on interventions in general and occupational higher secondary education and industrial vocational training between 1939 and 1970. To do so, we started by locating primary documentary sources (most are unpublished) to then analyse them by following the historic-educational methodology and placing special emphasis on data triangulation and properly contexualising references in educational, social and political domains. Of the most outstanding sources, it is worth pointing out that two well-defined stages were identified. The first had only a few interventions. As from the 1950s, the second began to be empowered as a mechanism to extend schooling fees and was exponentially intensified in 1961 with the Equal Opportunities Fund. The budget went from 95.5 million pesetas in 1960 to 2,400 million pesetas 7 years later, and with around 1,000 grants in 1946, rose to close to 150,000 in 1966. Thus the grants policy was well-accepted in the Spanish education system. The programme was conceived by taking a proactive and strictly meritocratic approach, one exclusively for students with few resources and excellent capacity with the vocation to study. It was redesigned and supported by the reformist sectors of the Franco regime, aimed to fulfil social, cultural and political objectives, and was publicised as one of the most important achievements. Its contribution to updating and modernising Francoism was considerable and always served for its survival and was never questioned as a political model.

Keywords: francoism, education policy, grants programmes, equal opportunities, secondary education, higher secondary education, vocational training.