O resgate histórico da função social da educação profissional brasileira, à luz do decreto 2.208/97: um estudo do perfil socioeconômico do aluno do CEFET-RS.

Abstract

This Master’s Dissertation discusses the changes in student demographics at the Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Pelotas - CEFET-RS that resulted from LDB nº. 9394/96 de 1996 and Decree 2208/97. This study took into account statistics published by the Census on Professional Education (Censos Educationais) conducted by MEC/INEP from 2001 through 2006. That data was cross-referenced with similar surveys conducted locally at the CEFET-RS. This work also discusses the History of Professional Education in Brazil from Colonial to Present days, including the Jesuit and Pombalina issues, Monarchy and Republic, the First Republic, the Vargas Era, the National Developmentism, the Military Government and the Democratic Transition in 1984. It also discusses public policies for professional education in Brazil, focusing on the Brazilian Professional Education Reform at the turn of the XX-XXI centuries. The major finding of this work is the substantial shift in student demographics and socio-economic profile as a result of the Brazilian Professional Education Reform. It’s characterized by a growing number of students with low-income backgrounds. Since Decree 2.208/97, two major distinct groups of students emerged: (a) the ones enrolled in technical education, typically of ow-income backgrounds, from public schools, more mature and ultimately seeking to enter the skilled labor job market and (b) the ones enrolled in non-technical education, younger, from higher-income families, seeking preparation for college education.