El Instituto Nacional Mejía

historia institucional y proyección sociopolítica (1897-2007)

Abstract

The Instituto Nacional Mejía is one of the first schools in the country, created under a liberal thinking approach, as the essence of knowledge, respect for human dignity, and tolerance in political and religious convictions, overcoming the paradigm of the time limited to the clerical educational project. This work, based on the research before obtaining the Doctorate of Education, focuses on the history of the Instituto National Mejia, a reference to Ecuadorian education, its institutional transcendence, and its historical, social, and political projection in defense of secularism. The Instituto National Mejia, as an institution that defends secularism, is invaluable, with great significance in the country's public life. The contributions of the school, as part of the history of education, have not been visible in the national context. Despite this, it contributed to the structure of a democratic, participative society, and formation and knowledge, not imposed but defined from the consensus that achieved growth, and not only form people who contribute to the development of the country's education at the same time, can choose and exercise the practice of values, which a democratic and fair society demands. The documentary research has to do with an approach to the historical background, as well as the process of birth and consolidation of this prestigious Institution, as emblematic and referent of secular education in Ecuador, starting from the most relevant aspects of the Ecuadorian society, its political, economic, ideological and social reality. Besides, the educational factor at the end of the XIX century, the rise to the political power of Eloy Alfaro Delgado, and its primary transformations in his periods of government. The primary sources, the most transcendental facts of the 110 years of history of this emblematic Secondary Education Institution, are analyzed and described: creation process, first principals and authorities, academic actions, and most relevant contributions to Ecuadorian education. The aim is to answer questions about the social, political, and economic conditions in which secular thinking arises; and the role assumed in those circumstances.