Reading and writing teaching in Espírito Santo: the mutual instruction or monitorial system

Abstract

This text aims at analyzing the Regimento Interno das Aulas Publicas de 1^as Letras of the Espírito Santo Province (1871) and the mutual instruction implemented in this Regulation, emphasizing the guidelines to the practice of reading and writing teaching.  To develop this study, we used documental research. The article concludes that the utilization of the mutual instruction allowed the maintenance of models of reading and writing teaching based in the systematic study of letters, of the syllables, of the sentence and, finally, of the reading of religious texts and others, which intended the constitution of religious and patriotic feelings in individuals. It also concludes that the adoption of this method, considering the working conditions of the schools, represented the lack of interest of the provincial governments in offering the minimal working conditions of the schools.