The main aim of this paper is to analyse the current ascension of the notion of competence and its influence on curricular reform in elementary education. It seeks to understand how curricula are being structured and formulated on the basis of the notion of competence and how this is being assimilated into teaching discourse. To this end, it discusses a case study carried out in the night school classes of the municipal school network of Betim, which recently elaborated a curriculum by competencies, currently being implemented in local schools. The notion of competence was taken as the principle point of reference for the official curriculum proposal as well as for the discourse of some teachers with regard to the incorporation of the proposal into the daily life of the school. The results of the study suggest that the notion of competence is taken as the principle element for curricular organisation, and assumes an important role with regard to the contents to be taught. However, due to its plastic and polysemic nature, the notion is not understood by the teachers who end up by relating it to the most diverse concepts.
curriculum; competence; teacher