Lutas, resistências e conquistas: formação histórica do sindicalismo docente em educação básica da rede pública do estado de Sergipe (1960 – 1980)

Abstract

The thesis titled Struggles, Resistances, and Achievements: Historical Formation of Teacher Unionism in Basic Education in the Public Network of the State of Sergipe (1960 – 1980) is associated with the Research Group on Education and Social Movements – GPEMS/UFS, which focuses on the socio-historical analysis of educational strategies in the formation of social movements in rural and urban areas. This research represents both the conclusion of the doctoral course in the Postgraduate Program in Education – PPGED at the Federal University of Sergipe – UFS, and does not signify the end of the investigative process regarding the historical formation of teacher unionism in Sergipe.The objective of this study is to investigate the origins and development of teacher unionism in basic education within the public network of the State of Sergipe, aiming to understand its role, political conflicts, and activities between 1960 and 1980. The central issue is to recognize that public school teachers in Sergipe experienced financial and professional challenges, leading to the hypothesis that these conditions may have contributed to the rise of popular struggles for education and the organization of teachers as a working class seeking their rights.This investigation employs a qualitative research approach, using historical materialism as its methodological focus. The empirical field of the research is teacher unionism in Sergipe. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews. The material collected through these interviews was analyzed according to the following categories: Objective and subjective conditions of basic/public education teachers in Sergipe; Struggles, Resistances, and Achievements faced by the education workers' movement from 1960 to 1980; Claims made by teachers; Local press and the organization of education workers.The research findings indicate that in the 1960s, teachers and other state public workers began to mobilize through associations to defend their interests, although these were not specific to education workers. The first specific organization for the teaching category emerged in the 1970s, called the Association of State Teaching Professionals - APMESE, which was created by government agents and aligned with government guidelines. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a group of teachers established the Center of Teaching Professionals of Sergipe - CESPES, which opposed APMESE. With the 1988 Constitution, APMESE was transformed into the Union of Workers in Basic Education of the State of Sergipe - SINTESE, which has a prominent presence in the union and political scene in Sergipe, representing the interests of basic education professionals in the state.