Public Instruction in San Marcos between 1855 and 1905 through correspondence located in the Municipal Historical Archive

Abstract

Through the research project "Valuing the Historical Archive of the Municipality of San Marcos, final phase"2, an archival identification and description process has been developed with the purpose of building a documentary inventory, as an initial effort for the systematization of the local file. The work has made it possible to locate documentary sets of great value for history from different perspectives. In what corresponds to Public Instruction for the period 1855-1905, 46 files have been identified. The variety of documentary types, from minute books, letters, edicts, trades and decrees account for the first efforts to organize and promote Public Instruction at the national level. The content of the sources is of great interest to develop new lines of research in the history of education. The article that is presented aims to trace a chronology of Public Instruction in San Marcos between 1855 and 1905 through the correspondence located in the Historical Archive to understand the development and daily life of education in the municipality. It is concluded in the great interest of the first liberals to spread primary education, however, the educational project was affected by the lack of funds, the poverty of the families to send the boys and girls to schools and the miserable condition of the preceptors in the exercise of their functions.