The lack of Geoscience contents in the Common Basic Curriculum of Geography for fundamental schools in Minas Gerais

Abstract

The authors propose a dialogue with teachers of Geography on cross-cutting (transversal) themes for schools and on the importance of geological topics to be included in the Common Basic Curriculum of Geography (CBC) of Minas Gerais State. The Geography CBC was proposed by the state for the final series of the fundamental level schools. It does not include geological issues, needed for the acquisition of essential skills for a citizen to be able to deal with and to understand modern issues on nature, an absence that is contradictory because the development of that Brazilian State has been based on a rich geological and mineral heritage. The analysis on the CBC of Geography considers also a few aspects of Science teaching, which seems to be rather interconnected with that of Geography. Some diagnosis on the abandonment of the educational system can be contrasted with proposals seeking to change the overall picture. Conflicts may be attributed to the fact that the State’s leadership for improving education never have been effectively exerted on. The arguments seem to justify a need of changing the Minas Gerais CBC, to bring the teaching of the Geography discipline closer to the emerging needs of the world nowadays. Palavras-chave: Ensino de Geociências. Geografia. Currículo Básico Comum. Mudança Curricular.