El objetivo del artículo es mostrar la necesidad de una visión crítica del «constructocompetencia», que actualmente carece de una aclaración semántica y epistémica. Mediante el análisis de la evolución histórica de «competencia» se explica su origen y sus significados. A través el análisis epistemológico se identifica el principio de eficiencia como fundamento del constructo competencia y asimismo de la programación y organización del proceso educativo por competencias. El resultado de este doble análisis evidencia los límites intrínsecos que oculta el modelo educativo por competencias, poniendo en cuestión su conformidad a los propósitos de la educación integral.

The aim of the article to demonstrate the necessity of a critical view on the construct of «competence» because of semantic and epistemic gaps. The analysis of the historical evolution of «competence» clarifies its origin and meanings. The epistemological analysis identifies the principle of efficiency as the basis of competence and also of programming and organization of educational process, based on this approach. The result of this double analysis highlights the intrinsic limits of the educational approach by competencies putting it in question.

The aim of the article to demonstrate the necessity of a critical view on the construct of «competence» because of semantic and epistemic gaps. The analysis of the historical evolution of «competence» clarifies its origin and meanings. The epistemological analysis identifies the principle of efficiency as the basis of competence and also of programming and organization of educational process, based on this approach. The result of this double analysis highlights the intrinsic limits of the educational approach by competencies putting it in question.