The text reconstitutes the process of renewal of the programs of the primary school in Brazil starting from 1870, placing the educational modernization in the country in relation to the international context. For this study, we used as research source Rui Barbosa's opinion concerning the Reform of the primary teaching and several complemental institutions of the public instruction (1883), especially the volume regarding the discussion on methods and the school program. Allso demonstrate, as the program it constitutes a project political social civilizador, addressed to build the nation, to modernize the country and to moralize the people.