SCHOOL EVASION IN PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL EDUCATION

CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES FOR INSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS FOR PERMANENCE AND SUCCESS

Abstract

The article presents the results of a master's degree research project that aimed to analyze the causes of dropout rates in a subsequent technical course in Systems Development at a professional education institution in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, and, based on the case study, propose intervention actions to reduce dropout rates. In the search for answers to the dropout problem, available institutional data are analyzed; in addition, data produced through interviews with professionals from the management team, the pedagogical sector and teachers who work directly in the course are analyzed to broaden the understanding of the reality investigated. To this end, basic concepts of Professional and Technological Education are taken as a reference for the analysis; among which the purpose and role of an education focused on work and on the comprehensive training of individuals stands out. The course studied meets an important demand in the training of workers to meet the needs of industries and companies in the metropolitan region of the capital of Santa Catarina. However, during the period under investigation, a dropout rate of approximately 60% was observed, that is, out of every 10 students enrolled in the course, at least 6 of them interrupted their training journey at some stage. The dropout problem is related to complex issues that are often beyond the reach of educational institutions; for example, numerous challenges regarding the new morphologies that characterize the world of work. However, there are many other issues that refer directly to institutional responsibilities, so that a meaningful education can be provided. The participants in the research point to this perspective, as will be seen in the development of the article.