THE ROLE OF ADULT EDUCATION IN ERADICATING ILLITERACY

Abstract

Youth and Adult Education (EJA) is an essential policy in the fight against illiteracy in Brazil, offering schooling opportunities and guaranteeing access to basic citizenship rights. Although the number of illiterate people has decreased over the years, the problem still persists, especially in regions where social inequalities are more pronounced. This article discusses the role of EJA in overcoming illiteracy, analyzing its challenges and possibilities. Through a literature review and observation of pedagogical practices, it seeks to understand how dialogical, inclusive, and contextualized methodologies can strengthen the learning process of young people and adults. The study highlights that EJA goes beyond a compensatory character, constituting itself as a space for knowledge construction, social inclusion, and the development of student autonomy.