THE EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS OF THE SOCIEDADE AUXILIADORA DA INDÚSTRIA NACIONAL: THE HISTORY OF THE ELEMENTARY NIGHT SCHOOL FOR ADULTS AND THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL (1871 - 1902)

ABSTRACT The Elementary Night School for Adults and the Industrial School, established by the Sociedade Auxiliadora da Indústria Nacional (1825-1904) in 1871 and 1872, respectively, were the only two successful educational projects of the long-lived association. Based in the neutral municipality of Rio de Janeiro, the schools were part of a small group of night, charitable, and private night schools - occasionally subsidized by the Imperial Government - aimed at the education of young adults and adults in the Court. By researching institutional documents, official reports, periodicals of the period, and the historiography of night schools, this article sought to analyze the two schools’ history from the composition of their professors and students, curricula, and principles. This material resulted in the identification of two schools with more than three decades of operation, in which more than 5,000 enrolled students throughout this period. In conclusion, the argument is made for both institutions’ status as early adopters of primary and technical education for adults and young adults in Brazil and as forerunners of the country’s current industrial education system.