The The “De la Constitución” Normal School, a visionary institution. Zacatecas, 1826

Abstract

Finished the independency of the New Spain, and enacted the General Constitution of the Mexican Republic on October 4, 1824, the novel states began to proceed regarding these issues. For instance, Zacatecas enacted its constitution on January 17, 1825, which was sworn in the first days of April of that year, thus acquiring the status of law. In this framework, the creation of the Escuela Normal “De la Constitución” (Normal School “Of the Constitution”) was decree on March 4. According to the regulation of the novel school, it was intended to use a Lancastrian model. It is not clear, however, which criteria was used to decide whether or not to use an specific educational model. This work aims to answer the puzzle. It finds that with the regulations proposed by a commission from the City Council, replacing another elaborated by the teacher José Hidalgo, the aim was to educate in an orderly environment, using rewards and punishments, with a system of school selfgovernment. This work uses primary sources protected in the Archive of the State of Zacatecas to answer the main question stated above.