Sentido e significados da educação escolar e do trabalho para jovens do ensino médio de um colégio estadual de Curitiba

Abstract

In the current Brazilian context, of educational reforms and the economic crisis, we live in a time of change in the dynamics of work, precarious jobs, allied to high unemployment rates. In this same scenario, we have a significant presence of young people who are faced with the need to work before finishing basic education, and therefore combine the two activities. From this perspective, this study has the general objective of answering the following question: what are the senses and meanings attributed to school education and work by high school students who study and work? Based on this question, a qualitative approach was used to carry out this case study, focusing on young people who attend high school at Colégio Estadual do Paraná, a public school located in the central area of Curitiba, and who also work. The research was carried out with four young people that concluded their studies in high school in 2019, using a questionnaire and semi-structured interview as data collection instruments. As a result, it was possible to perceive that the school is seen as a place of sociability, where young people meet and interact with their peers. In addition, there was an emphasis on school infrastructure and possibilities for extracurricular activities as an incentive to keep on studying. Formal education is also seen as a necessary step for young people to have greater chances of getting a less precarious occupation in the future. The meanings of work involve the search for freedom and autonomy, in addition to satisfying their consumption needs, linked to both the construction of identity and the possibility of integration with groups of friends. However, reconciling studies and work brought out several difficulties, among which they highlighted difficulties to take advantage of all of educational activities they were supposed to access.