Estudo documental sobre a extensão universitária “cuidado ativo e democrático: apoio ao retorno e a permanência de jovens à/na escola no contexto (pós)pandêmico

Abstract

School dropout is an old phenomenon that involves the act of leaving or abandoning school. This fact, in addition to being recurrent, puts pressure on the educational field in Brazil. Given this, it is necessary to create new strategies to address this problem, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially with regard to school dropout among socially vulnerable young people and those attending public schools. Based on this scenario, this study sought to describe the actions of a university extension called “Active and Democratic Care: support for the return and permanence of young people to/in school in the (post)pandemic context” carried out by the Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto Campus, from August 2023 to August 2024 at a high school located in the city of Simão Dias-SE. To this end, documents related to the work carried out were analyzed, such as reports made available in the Integrated Academic Activities Management System - SIGAA and by the extension coordinator, as well as field diaries made available by the extension workers. The documents collected were analyzed and comprise the results of this study. The data showed that among the reasons for school absence, the most prominent were the need to work, the difficulty in following remote classes, teenage pregnancy and lack of motivation in general, with the Covid-19 pandemic being a factor that directly impacted the relationship between students and school. Despite the work carried out by the extension regarding the active search for young people who have dropped out, the monitoring of young people at risk of dropping out and the constant negotiations with school management for the return and permanence of young people in/at school, more actions and engagement from the State and civil society are still needed to guarantee basic education for all.