Educação de jovens e adultos no Brasil: avanços e desafios

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to understand the advances and challenges regarding Youth and Adult Education (EJA) in Brazil. The specific objectives were: i) to analyze the key historical milestones of EJA in Brazil; and ii) to discuss a sample of recent literature on the subject. The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing bibliographic research and the analysis of data and documents as investigative methods. The study revealed that: i) EJA has shifted from a compensatory perspective to being recognized as a right to education; ii) this recognition was solidified by legal frameworks (the 1988 Federal Constitution, the 1996 Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education, and the 2014 National Education Plan); iii) despite these advances, challenges persist, such as high dropout rates, declining enrollment, insufficient funding, and policies that fail to address the specific needs of the target demographic; and iv) recent literature suggests a need for permanent policies and contextualized pedagogical practices.