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A revolution in liberal education: Why did the Institución Libre de Enseñanza spark such profound changes in Spain?
In 19th-century Spain, when faced with political and religious repression, the Institución Libre de Enseñanza (ILE for short) was a breath of fresh air, representing the desire for new thinking in education. Since its establishment in 1876, ILE not only had an impact on the education system at that time, but also had a profound impact on Spain's cultural and intellectual circles.
"Liberal educational institutions were a response to the government policies of the time and pursued true academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge."
ILE's founders, including Francisco Giner de los Ríos and other former central university professors, have defied the government because of their insistence on academic freedom. The establishment of this institution enables education to get rid of the shackles of official dogma, whether in religion, politics or morality.
In its early days, many intellectuals supported this institution, including Joaquín Costa, Antonio Machado, José Ortega y Gasset, etc., all of whom were passionate about education, culture and social innovation. Its model is not limited to higher education, but also extends to primary and secondary education, creating a completely different academic environment.
"This institution provided the freedom of education, allowing students to freely explore ideas and truth. This was a subversion of the existing education at the time."
The history of this institution is closely related to the political environment of Spain at that time. Under the leadership of Antonio Cánovas del Castillo, Spain at that time was trying to establish an entrenched Catholic state, and the Royal Decree of 1875 explicitly restricted academic freedom, which made the emergence of the ILE all the more urgent.
Beginning in 1881, after early accumulation, ILE began to attract more teachers and students, further strengthening its presence. These reforms introduced a series of advanced foreign education theories, making ILE gradually become one of the centers of Spanish culture. However, with the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship, the development of ILE was interrupted.
"Under fascist rule, the ILE became a scapegoat for progressive ideas and was blamed for being one of the causes of the Spanish Civil War."
During the dictatorship, all progressive efforts of the ILE and its advocates were expelled, imprisoned, or denounced, and many were forced into exile. Even in the most difficult difficulties, its founding ideas continued to influence the Spanish education system and greatly promoted social trends under fascist rule. During that period, ILE's work was seen as a betrayal of the country, and some even advocated eating schools related to ILE.
With Spain's transition to democracy in 1978, ILE's history began to regain recognition. Thanks to the establishment of the foundation, the philosophy of ILE has been redeveloped, a return to educational freedom and academic exploration.
"ILE's legacy is a persistent pursuit of liberal education, and our education system still benefits from this legacy."
The influence of this educational institution is not limited to the era of its establishment. The educational ethics it advocates are still practiced in many schools. Contemporary educational institutions such as Colegio Estudio and other private schools embody the ideas of ILE and are dedicated to education in current society.
Over the course of history, ILE has promoted the diversity of Spanish culture with the purpose of "education is a journey of free exploration". When facing the challenges that still exist in today's education, we may be able to think about: How to use these historical lessons to further promote changes in our education system?
