Ethnic groups, cultural plurality and public policies in the history of education, in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)

Abstract

During the last decade we have had several declarations of principles regarding the preservation of immaterial property of cultural diversity – especially languages, in a clear sign of deep changes taking place in conception. Historically, cultural diversity used to be considered a constraint for the development of the nation, requiring several measures to extinguish it. the core issue of this paper is epistemological, namely: what are  the concepts that make it possible to research the interaction of  cultures  in  the  history  of education? This will  situate  our references of cultural history, built upon a dialogue with anthropology. As for  references to previous studies carried out on school processes among ethnical groups; however,  i shall privilege the theoretical matter related to the concepts that allow the analysis of dialogue between cultures, having as reference the ethnic groups in Rio Grande do sul, with emphasis on the immigrants and their ethnic schooling process.