Arrogance Revealed in Conflict: Bolivians and Brazilians in the Schools of Corumbá (MS)

Abstract

This article revolves around the daily life of elementary school students, children and adolescents, who live in or are citizens of Bolivia and study in public schools in a border area of Brazil. Corumbá (MS, Brazil) and Puerto Suáres (GB, Bolivia) are  highly integrated twin cities in form and function. The social relations between students of both nationalities seem to suggest integration but an in-depth look reveals prejudice against Bolivian students and this work reveals conflict in school space. A systemic methodology is applied involving the integrated analysis of all of the elements that make up the object of analysis. The operational procedures used were a review of the relevant literature and the application of questionnaires and interviews with the social actors involved in the schools.