ABSTRACT
The educational operative units, developed in the late sixties, were put forward for government support under Allende in 1972. Marcela Gajardo examines these units in one of the poorest regions, and traces their diminishing fortunes under the authoritarian regime which succeeded Allende. There was some vagueness in their conceptualisation and objectives, which perhaps proved convenient in the difficult political climate. Initial demand for basic education progressively gave way to a demand for training in manual and technical skills – a shift towards perceived functionality. Gajardo suggests that initial interest was in the prospect of certification as regular courses for further study by the Ministry of Education. Although the Ministry withdrew from this as early as 1974, it was still an aspiration expressed by most participants interviewed in 1978. There was a tendency towards traditional class-room relations and teaching methods, which undercut the intended participatory approach.
