Protagonismo juvenil e práticas educativas: o papel do grêmio estudantil na gestão democrática e participativa de uma escola pública estadual

Abstract

This dissertation is part of Research Line 1 – Educational Practices in Professional and Technological Education, linked to Macroproject 3 – Educational Practices in the Integrated Curriculum, of the Professional Master's Degree in Professional and Technological Education at the Instituto Federal Farroupilha (IFFar), Jaguari Campus. The study aimed to analyze the effects of the creation, electoral process, and performance of the Student Union of a state public school as an educational practice on school culture, the development of youth leadership, and the democratic and participatory management of the institution. The research is based on theoretical references that discuss educational practices, youth leadership, and democratic management, articulated with educational legislation that ensures student organization, in particular Law No. 7,398/1985, known as the Free Student Council Law. Methodologically, a qualitative, empirical approach was adopted, structured as action research, conducted at a state public high school located in the municipality of Santa Maria/RS, which offers secondary education and vocational training. The data were produced through a semi-structured interview, conducted in the form of a roundtable discussion, with the participation of eight students who are members of the Student Union, belonging to different educational modalities of the institution. The data were analyzed using Discourse Analysis (DA), which made it possible to understand the meanings attributed by the students to their participation in the Student Council and the practices experienced in their daily school life. The results show that the Student Union is a relevant educational space, promoting student participation, the exercise of citizenship, the development of autonomy, and the strengthening of more dialogical relationships within the school, contributing to the consolidation of a culture of democratic management. As an educational product of the research, a pedagogical booklet entitled “How to set up a Student Council” was developed, presented in a narrative form, whose protagonist is a teacher, Maria Rocha, who guides students and administrators on student organization, the functioning of the Student Council, and the legal aspects that underpin it. The booklet serves as support material for public schools interested in promoting youth leadership and democratic participation in the school environment.