The advancement of conservative policies and the militarization process of education

Abstract

This article focuses on discussing the advancement of conservative policies in the Brazilian education, in order to understand the militarization movement of education as an expression of the advancement of such policies. To this end, it begins by bringing, as a central point of view, from the theoretical lenses of Michael Apple (2003), the concept of conservative alliance, understanding it as fundamental to the understanding of what has been happening in Brazil. The militarization process is then brought to discussion, evidencing its relations with the agenda, notably of two of the main groups that make up the alliance: neoliberals and neoconservatives. In the sequence, militarization is discussed as an example of the advancement of conservative policies in Basic Education, especially aimed at the Elementary School stage. Finally, the intensification of the militarization process is discussed through the promulgation of the Civic-Military School Program (Programa das Escolas Cívico-Militares - PECIM). The analyzes carried out, based on bibliographic and documentary research, show that PECIM, in line with the expanding militarization project, opposes and puts in check the principles of democratic management, fundamental pillars of the public, plural school for all.