STRENGTHENING THE SCHOOL COUNCIL AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY

Abstract

This article discusses strengthening the School Council as an instrument of participatory democracy, considering that democratic school management depends on institutional spaces capable of ensuring meaningful community participation in school decisions. The objective was to analyze legal foundations and theoretical references on school councils and to systematize elements that enhance their role in everyday school life. Methodologically, this is a narrative literature review with a qualitative approach, based on normative frameworks and studies on democratic management, social participation, and School Council organization. The findings indicate that Brazilian legislation supports democratic management and participation mechanisms, and that School Councils tend to be strengthened when they have representativeness, regular functioning, transparency, decision records, and council member training. It also shows that council effectiveness increases when its work connects to the Pedagogical-Political Project and pedagogical priorities, avoiding a reduction to bureaucratic agendas. The study concludes that strengthening the School Council through institutional routines, training, and community communication contributes to shared responsibility and consolidates participatory democracy in schools.