OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATION FOR SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN MINAS GERAIS: A REFLECTION ON RACE

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the Occupational Certification for State School Principals in the state of Minas Gerais, in accordance with SEE Resolution No. 4,782/2022 and SEE Public Notice No. 05/2022, with a focus on the presence of Black professionals in the role of school principal. This is a qualitative study that employs a documentary analysis of SEE Resolution No. 4,782/2022 and SEE Public Notice No. 05/2022 as its methodological approach. The certification process consists of a public competitive examination based on written tests and credentials for the appointment of qualified candidates, followed by an election. It therefore requires mastery of legislation and administrative, pedagogical, and personnel management aspects, as well as recognition by the school community. The results indicate that, in Minas Gerais, there is a high degree of regulatory compliance, as the state seeks to ensure the technical qualifications of school administrators. However, the continued reproduction of racial inequalities in access to leadership positions is evident. Thus, by failing to explicitly address these inequalities, the occupational certification process undermines the principle of democratic management and contributes to the continued underrepresentation of Black professionals in school leadership positions within the Minas Gerais state school system.