Extending primary education to nine years: among the regulations of the education policy, the theoretical movement, and the social representations of state school professionals

This paper aims to analyse the social representations of professional education groups of two schools (a city school and a state one) about the policy of extending primary education to nine years. Some relationships between the individual and social nature of social representations were made clear, and the reasons why public schools have been carry on traditional pedagogical practices were investigated. The research consisted of interviews with the directors and coordinators of both schools. The conclusion was that these professionals attribute positive characteristics to the policy, but they do not know its origins or its bases; the text of the policy presents some progressive aspects, but the contradictions resulted from the government guidelines end up encouraging historically experienced practices, which makes it diffi cult to reorganise the school work environment