Did you know that the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa, or ESELx, has roots stretching back to 1862? It is quite a legacy. Today we will explore this institution’s story.
The Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa we see today is relatively new. It was established in 1979. The school officially began its activities in 1985. However, its history is much older. ESELx inherited traditions from two important institutions. These were the Lisbon School of Primary Teacher Education and the António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira Institute.
Let’s jump back in time. We will go to 1862. King Luís reigned. The Escola Normal Primária de Lisboa was created. Initially, it was located in the Palácio dos Marqueses de Abrantes. Only male students were admitted. A sister school for women opened in 1866. It was located in Calvário.
In 1914, the two schools merged. They began co-education. In 1919, they moved to a building in Quinta de Marrocos in Benfica. This is the same building where the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa is located today.
The construction of this building began on December 10, 1916. The first stone was laid for what was then called the Escola Normal Primária de Lisboa. The ceremony was attended by important figures. President Bernardino Machado, Minister of Instruction Pedro Martins, and architect Arnaldo Adães Bermudes were present. Bermudes oversaw the project.
The Escola Normal Primária de Lisboa remained here until 1930. Then, the Estado Novo regime shut down all normal schools. They were replaced by Schools of Primary Teacher Education. The Escola do Magistério Primário de Lisboa continued to operate in this building.
In November 1936, admissions to the first year were suspended. This led to a six-year closure. This event marked the end of pedagogical influences from the First Republic.
The Schools of Teacher Education reopened in 1943. There were new rules and curricula. These remained mostly unchanged until 1974. After the 25th of April revolution, significant changes were introduced.
In 1986, a law phased out the Schools of Primary Teacher Education. Teacher training shifted to higher education schools. Integrated Teacher Training Centers within universities also took on this role.
The Instituto António Aurélio da Costa Ferreira is the second historical component of ESELx. It was created in 1929. Its purpose was to guide children with learning difficulties. It also trained specialists to support these children.
From 1942 to 1948, the IAACF course was updated. It adapted to new educational concepts for helping children with special needs.
In 1986/87, the Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa began offering a specialization course in Special Education. It replaced the IAACF in this area. This course ended when CESEs in Special Education were created.
ESELx was located in four different places. None of them were adequate. Finally, in the late 1990s, it settled in the building it occupies today.
The building has undergone restoration and maintenance. These improvements have made the spaces more functional. They better suit the school’s activities.
Today, Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa continues its mission. It focuses on teaching, research, and community service. The school collaborates with national and international partners. It promotes education, community engagement, and human development. ESELx offers various courses. These include sociocultural animation, visual arts, and community music. It prepares educators and professionals for the future.