The institutionalization of school physical education in São Paulo (1930-1938)

Abstract

The Department of Physical Education of the State of São Paulo (DEF-SP) was created to guide and oversee sports in São Paulo. Throughout the 1930s, it also assumed responsibility for physical education in schools, establishing relations with the General Directorate of Education of the State of São Paulo (DE-SP), the department responsible for school education. The research aimed to analyze the institutionalization of school physical education promoted in São Paulo through the relations established between DEF-SP and DE-SP during the years 1930 to 1938. Specific school legislation was employed as documentary source, along with newspaper articles. The research concluded that the São Paulo state administration developed and implemented various initiatives to institutionalize school physical education. It was incorporated into the educational reforms of the time, but there were both convergences and divergences between the projects of DEF-SP and DE-SP, resulting in a fragmented and non-linear institutionalization. Sport and gymnastics took a central position in the debates, being redefined and incorporated into school legislation.

Keywords:
physical education; sports; public administration; educational system; São Paulo