A estratégia de internacionalização da educação básica de Sergipe e seu impacto na projeção internacional do estado

Abstract

The internationalization of education has consolidated itself as a strategic axis in contemporary educational policy, expanding significantly beyond post-secondary education toward public basic education. Given this scenario, this study analyzes the formulation and implementation of the Internationalization Program for the State Public School System of Sergipe. To this end, this research seeks to address the following research problem: what is the internationalization strategy for basic education in the state of Sergipe, considering its objectives, established international partnerships, and the impacts generated both within and beyond the educational field? To answer this question, the general objective was defined as analyzing the basic education internationalization program in Sergipe, examining its strategic goals, cooperation arrangements, and repercussions on the state's external projection. For this investigation, the chosen methodology is classified as qualitative and exploratory, structured through the analysis of primary source documents such as state laws, reports, program selection notices, public tenders, and state media coverage alongside interviews conducted with actors involved in the program's management. The findings reveal an eight-year hiatus between the formulation of the original proposal (2016) and the effective execution of the 'Sergipe no Mundo' program (2024), highlighting the challenges of administrative discontinuity that exist between management policy and state policy. Furthermore, it is observed that the program aligns with the state government's strategic objectives of international projection and investment attraction. Finally, it is concluded that while physical exchange promotes significant individual gains, the consolidation of the program as an internationalization policy requires the strengthening of Internationalization at Home strategies.