POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS E PROGRAMAS PARA A EJA: DA CONSTITUIÇÃO DE 1988 AO PNE (2026-2036)

Abstract

Youth and Adult Education (EJA) is a modality of Basic Education designed for individuals who did not have access to or did not complete their schooling at the standard age, playing a fundamental role in guaranteeing the right to education and reducing educational inequalities. This study aimed to analyze federal educational policies and programs for Youth and Adult Education—spanning the period from the promulgation of the 1988 Federal Constitution to the National Education Plan 2026–2036—while identifying their advances, limitations, and challenges. It is a qualitative study based on a review of literature and documents, including legislation, official records, monitoring reports, statistical data from the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (INEP) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), as well as academic research on the subject. The results revealed that significant legal milestones and federal programs have contributed to strengthening EJA as a public policy; however, challenges persist regarding access, student retention, completion of schooling, and the achievement of targets set by National Education Plans. An analysis of the indicators showed a decline in enrollment numbers for this modality over the period studied—a phenomenon that must be interpreted alongside improvements in the population's overall educational attainment. The drop in demand for EJA may stem from both a reduction in the target population requiring this modality and the persistence of educational inequalities and barriers to access and completion. Consequently, the data highlight the need for enduring public policies capable of ensuring the right to education for those who have not yet completed basic education, as well as fostering student retention and the successful completion of studies.