HISTORY AND PUBLIC POLICIES OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN BRAZIL: ADVANCES, CONTRADICTIONS, AND CURRENT CHALLENGES

Abstract

This article analyzes the historical development and public policies of technical education in Brazil, highlighting its advances, contradictions, and contemporary challenges. Professional and technological education is understood as a field marked by tensions between different conceptions of training, sometimes oriented toward labor market demands and sometimes toward the comprehensive development of individuals. The study examines the historical construction of technical education, emphasizing the persistence of educational duality and its social implications. It also discusses the main public policies implemented in the country, with emphasis on educational reforms and federal programs aimed at expanding this educational modality. Furthermore, the research addresses the structural and social challenges that affect quality, access, and student retention in professional education. Methodologically, this is a qualitative study, based on bibliographic and documentary research, with a descriptive approach. The findings indicate that, despite institutional progress, significant challenges remain, requiring more integrated and equitable public policies committed to comprehensive human development.