The debate on compulsory education: between politics and pedagogy

Abstract

Compulsory education is unquestionably an achievement of advanced societies. In Spain, debates around extending it have not had the required pedagogical depth. Far from there being disagreement between political forces, everything would suggest a certain reluctance to extend it before the age of six and after the age of sixteen, the ages established in the legislation in force since 1990. Moreover, in line with neighbouring countries, which have started to implement this extension, no rigorous process of review has been undertaken in Spain due to political polarisation, which has made it impossible to find the appropriate strategy for this matter in terms of pacts. This article is theoretical in nature. It first reviews some ethical and legal considerations concerning the state’s responsibility regarding compulsory schooling, then goes on to propose moving the debate towards the pedagogical terrain, for which some functions in this regard are suggested and some final proposals are made.

Keywords: schooling, compulsory education, ideology, politics, democracy, polarisation, pacts.