‘The lyceums work in silence, they do not advertise, and have no time for envy or rivalry: A Case Study of the Liceu Rodrigues de Freitas/D. Manuel II during the Portuguese Estado Novo

Abstract:During the Estado Novo in Portugal, the ethos of the liceus in secondary education, and particularly those operating in the public sector, enjoyed wide support from political and social authorities. However, the fact that the liceu provided a post-primary education that was voluntary, with admission exams, restricted places, and high fees, made it particularly selective with respect to the social background of pupils. The present study analyses the educational market for liceu education at two different levels, the national and the case-specific. The case study deals with the continuous process of selection, the predominance of a highly academic curriculum, the examination results of pupils, and their drop-out rate, at the Liceu Rodrigues de Freitas/D. Manuel II in Porto, one of the most prestigious boys' schools in Portugal.