AS ELEIÇÕES PARA DIRETORES DA REDE ESTADUAL DE EDUCAÇÃO: UMA ANÁLISE DO PROCESSO NO MUNICÍPIO DE ANÁPOLIS EM 2011.

Abstract

This research deals with the process of choosing the principals of state elementary schools in the city of Anápolis, state of Goiás, Brazil, in 2011. Its main purpose is to find out if the changes which occurred in 2011 led to a democratic choice or if they were just a way the government found to use the election process to legitimize its power of influence within the schools. The general objective is to contribute to a critical analysis on the changes in elections for principals of state schools in the city of Anápolis in 2011 in accordance to the 2783/SEDUC/GO ordinance. These changes were the insertion of an online course for precandidates to that position, an eliminatory test and a mandatory course on educational management for the elected candidates. In this sense, the study is justified by the importance of understanding the implications of the current policy of the State Board of Education of Goiás concerning the democratic management of schools, as well as its importance and credibility within the local community. The methodology is principled by a qualitative research paradigm and the data were raised through the study of relevant documents and legislation and the application of semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed based on the theoretical framework and allowed to ponder the impact of changes of 2011 elections for democratic management. The most important conclusion of this research was that in the year of 2011, there was not an election but a validation of pre-approved candidates who passed the test on management. In the city of Anápolis there were few schools with candidates competing for the election. Besides, some principals have been dismissed from their functions and the local board of education has designated other professionals to replace them. The participants, in general, have not noticed any change in the schools management and have expressed dissatisfaction with the current model of choice which in their opinion represents a setback in the election process for principals and consequently for the democratic management of public schools.