EDUCATIONAL INDICATORS AND PUBLIC POLICIES: RESULTS OF RESEARCH ON BASIC EDUCATION IN MUNICIPALITIES WITH UP TO 10 THOUSAND INHABITANTS IN THE STATE OF SANTA CATARINA

Abstract

This article presents the results of a research on basic education carried out in Santa Catarina (Brazil). The object of the research was delimited to the public policies implemented to meet the National Education Plan and the use of educational indicators as guiding instruments to improve the State's response to the demands of basic education with regard to the goals of the PNE and the SDGs, especially SDG 4 – Quality education. The general objective was to demonstrate the importance of using educational indicators in the implementation of public policies for basic education. The survey used municipalities with less than 10 thousand inhabitants (192 municipalities in Santa Catarina out of a total of 295). It was motivated by the need to improve public policies in basic education in smaller municipalities. Research question/problem: Can public policies for basic education be implemented in the same way in all municipalities of Santa Catarina? The hypothesis raised was that it is not possible to implement the same public policies for basic education in all municipalities in a common way because each municipality has its peculiarities and, therefore, it is necessary to have educational indicators that detail and reflect the demands of students in each municipality. The problems must be solved at the municipal level because it is not possible to treat social problems - education in particular - at the national level. The general conditions, provided for in article 206 of the Federal Constitution, are respected, however, each municipality has peculiarities. The importance of constant analysis of educational indicators and the identification of demands and challenges for the definition of strategies for improving education, reducing inequalities, complying with the National Education Plan and achieving the SDGs in municipalities in the State of Santa Catarina with less than 10 thousand inhabitants is highlighted. The methodology used in the research was based on the qualitative and quantitative approach and the investigation method used was inductive. The research techniques adopted were documentary analysis, doctrinal analysis, official public data and field research.