The reform of brazilian higher education and the expansion of Federal Institutes of Education: democratization or expansion with precarization?

Abstract

Objective:  Reflect on the reform of higher education in Brazil, with an emphasis on the expansion of the Federal Institutes of Education and their implications for the democratization of education. It seeks to understand the paths and limitations of this process of expanding access to public education. Literature review: Based on a qualitative approach, official documents, legislation, and academic works on the subject were analyzed. The data reveal that although the Federal Institutes have contributed to expanding access in historically excluded regions, this expansion followed the logic of neo-developmentalist policies and neoliberal orientations, prioritizing quantitative targets to the detriment of educational quality. This has resulted in the precarization of working conditions, professional overload, and weaknesses in student retention policies. Final considerations: It can be considered there is an urgent need to rethink the adopted growth model, recognizing the achievements made while also addressing its limitations. The article advocates for the construction of an educational policy that goes beyond formal inclusion, guided by principles of equity, social justice, and the critical and holistic development of students.