'The people need to be enlightened and taught'

Revolution and popular education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.6059

Keywords:

Portuguese revolutionary process, agrarian reform, popular education, MFA’s Cultural Dynamization and Civic Action Campaign, Student Civic Service

Abstract

This article explores the social, educational, and participatory practices during the revolutionary period in Portugal (1974-1976), a historical moment marked by a combination of political rupture and grassroots mobilisation. By focusing on four key initiatives – agrarian reform, popular education, the MFA’s Cultural Dynamization and Civic Action Campaign, and the Student Civic Service – this study sheds light on the diversity of popular educational experiences and social transformation movements of the time. It analyses how education and civic engagement were conceived and employed as tools for societal transformation. The results show that, during the revolutionary period, civil society, previously repressed under the dictatorship, played a crucial role in the democratisation of education. They also highlight the significant contribution of the popular classes and of popular education in the broader transformation of Portuguese society.

Author Biographies

Carla Vilhena, University of the Algarve/ Adult Education and Community Intervention Research Centre (CEAD)

Carla Vilhena has a PhD in Educational Sciences from the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences at NOVA University Lisbon, is an Assistant Professor at University of Algarve, a full member of the Research Centre on Adult Education and Community Intervention (CEAD), and the president of the board of the Portuguese Association for the History of Education (HISTEDUP). Conducts research in the field of education, particularly in the History of Education, in areas such as educational policies, the training of early childhood teachers, early childhood education, and adult education.

Luís Mota, School of Education of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra/ Center of Research and Innovation in Education (inED)

Luís Mota has a PhD in Cultural History from the University of Coimbra, is a coordinating professor at the School of Education of the Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, and integrated researcher at the Center of Research and Innovation in Education (inED). Conducts research in the field of education, particularly in the History of Education, in areas such as educational policies, the training of educators and teachers, early childhood education, and adult education.

António Fragoso, University of the Algarve/Adult Education and Community Intervention Research Centre (CEAD)

António Fragoso has a PhD in Pedagogy, is a Full Professor at the University of the Algarve, and is the Coordinator of the Adult Education and Community Intervention Research Centre (CEAD). Over the years he has researched various topics in the field of Adult Education.

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Published

2026-02-04

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Vilhena, C., Mota, L., & Fragoso, A. (2026). ’The people need to be enlightened and taught’: Revolution and popular education. European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.6059

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Copyright (c) 2026 Carla Vilhena, Luís Mota, António Fragoso

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