ROZENDO, S. A.; ROZENDO, Sandra Aparecida.
Abstract:
Youth and Adult Education (EJA) was created to guarantee the right to education for those who
did not complete their studies at a regular age. In recent years, the EJA has undergone a process
of juvenilization, with the growing inclusion of young people who, for various reasons, migrate
from regular education to this modality. The general aim of this study is therefore to investigate
the factors that cause young people to join the EJA classes in public schools in the municipality
of Sumé-PB. Specific objectives: to describe Youth and Adult Education, historically
portraying its emergence in Brazil; to point out the main causes that lead students in public
schools in Sumé-PB to opt for YAE teaching; and to find out how the school has acted in the
face of the phenomenon of juvenilization. The research is characterized as descriptive, with a
qualitative approach. Data was collected using questionnaires administered to 58 students and
semi-structured interviews with 9 students and 2 EJA professionals. The data revealed that the
majority of students come from families with low levels of education and face challenging
socio-economic conditions. Among the factors that explain migration to the EJA, the need to
reconcile studies with work, failure in regular education and family responsibilities stand out.
In addition, the results show that many young people are looking to the EJA as an opportunity
to complete their studies in less time and improve their life prospects and employability.
However, they face challenges such as an overload of responsibilities, tiredness and a lack of
adequate institutional support. The research concludes that, in addition to socio-economic
causes, juvenilization in the EJA reflects structural flaws in the regular education system and
the need for more effective public policies that integrate education, work and social support,
with the aim of improving the conditions for young people to remain and learn in this modality.
