A reforma do estado e as políticas públicas para a educação profissional, científica e tecnológica no Brasil: da Escola Técnica Federal de Pelotas ao Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia, Sul-rio-grandense (1990-2013)

Abstract

This research analyzes the consequences and effects of the conversion of Federal Technical Schools (ETFs), Federal Agrotechnical (EAFs), Federal Centers for Technological Education (CEFETs), Technical Schools and Technical and Agricultural Colleges (originally linked to Federal Universities) into campi of Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology, according to Law 11.892/2007. The main subject of this study is the Campus Pelotas of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology South Rio Grande (IFSul), formerly known as Federal Center of Technological Education of Pelotas (CEFET-RS). The adopted methodology is based on literature and documents of classic works in the history of Brazilian education, especially focused on Vocational and Technical Education as well as legislation, journals, conference proceedings and the press. The theoretical foundation includes the work from authors involved in the dialogue with the History of Present Time, such as Alberti, Banazzi, Chartier, Ferreira, Ludke and Pesavento. The theme of Professional Education was based on the work from several authors including Azevedo, Castro, Ciavatta, Cunha, Fonseca, Frigotto, Haidar & Tanuri, Hilsdorf, Kuenzer, Leher, Lemme, Machado, Manfredi, Nagle, Nascimento, Paiva, Peçanha, Prado Junior, Ramos, Ribeiro, Romanelli, Sander, Saviani, Schwartzmann, Weinstein and Werebe, among others. Through the analysis and research of the evolution of the aforementioned types of training institutions during the Republican period, especially in the years 1990-2013, this work demonstrates that the main drivers of the educational policies for the Brazilian professional education were established by multilateral agencies, according to a neoliberal ideology which advocates minimal state. This has led to a new reordering of the political-legal-institutional framework for these institutions, totally changing their identities, conceptions and historical purposes. An important consideration is made regarding their possible conversion into entities or state foundations of private law. It also demonstrates that in spite of the expansion of the network of vocational education, science and technology in the form of federal institution campi since 2008, the professional education went through a privatization process, enhancing public-private partnerships.