Education of the Least Protected Strata of Society in New Spain: the Main Features

Abstract

The article presents the results of historical-pedagogical research, which purpose was to identify the main features of education of the least protected sections of society in New Spain. The authors´ analysis of the original scientific-historical sources and scientific works of contemporary Latin-American researchers makes it possible to draw the following conclusions. The education of the most marginalized population in New Spain was in line with the interests of the Spanish Crown and the Catholic Church. It was a state affair under the direct control of the Spanish monarchs, who in their own hands signed a large number of orders for the study of the Law of God and the Castilian language of the indigenous population of the colonies and the opening of appropriate educational institutions for this. Thus, already in the XVI century were initiated the first schools for the Indians, where catechism training by Catholic friars first in the languages of the local ethnic groups and later in Spanish only was conducted. Based on the study, the authors found that the Sanitization of numerous ethnic groups of New Spain led to the loss of their identity and language. Generally, the education of the most vulnerable in New Spain took place in two main directions: it served as a radical modification of material life (through the introduction of new technologies), as well as the transformation of spiritual existence (through a new religion).