Preschool and Primary School Teachers through NO-DO (1943-1975)

Abstract

In 1943, NO-DO aired its first newsreel in Spanish cinemas. This company, created by the Francoist regime, also produced other materials (Revista Imágenes, Documentales en Blanco y Negro, Documentales en Color y Revista de Imágenes). In its various editions, it broadcast news on a range of topics, one of which was education. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore what NO-DO conveyed about preschool and primary school teachers during the Francoist era (1943-1975). To achieve this, the historical-educational method and critical discourse analysis have been employed. In total, 22 issues concerning early childhood or preschool education and 52 relating to primary education have been analysed. The issues that provided information about preschool or primary educational institutions generally showed visits from Franco, his wife, or other authorities. These depictions typically showed empty classrooms or students sitting at their desks or standing behind them, with the teacher standing next to their desk, but without providing further pedagogical details or explaining what life in the schools was like. In the preschool education news where female teachers are featured, they are shown in a secondary or supportive role, often interacting with children during play, drawing, assisting others with hygiene, feeding them, or putting them to bed. It is important to note that, while these images are being shown, the narration emphasised the teachers' role in caring for children and "replacing" working mothers who were unable to carry out these functions. A similar pattern is found in the primary education news, where the teacher is usually shown explaining a subject while the students are sitting at their desks, either individually or in pairs, paying attention or engaging in activities. This portrays a traditional teaching methodology, where the teacher was the most important figure, possessing the knowledge, values, and ideals that students were expected to acquire in order to become good citizens loyal to the regime. NO-DO even referred to teachers as "meritorious and dedicated national teachers". These aspects characterised much of NO-DO's output, although by the late 1960s and into the 1970s, a shift in discourse occurred, suggesting that methodological changes were being implemented in schools. This narrative sometimes contradicted the images in some issues, particularly in primary education, as the teacher continued to be the central figure of learning. However, in other news segments, the teacher is portrayed as a guide while students work in groups, participate in activities outside the school, or show a greater focus on drawing and child psychology, etc.