Círculos de cultura na EJA: um caminho para a educação crítica e transformadora

Abstract

Based on experiences working with pedagogical and management teams in the Youth and Adult Education (EJA) program in several municipalities in northern Paraná, the need arose to improve the impact of pedagogical work on the lives of students attending classes in this modality, who were often unmotivated, thus justifying this research. The following problem was then presented: how can Culture Circles in EJA contribute to a critical, dialogical, and transformative education? Therefore, the general objective of this research is to analyze the contribution of Culture Circles in Youth and Adult Education (EJA) as a pedagogical methodology for the development of a critical, dialogical, and transformative education, grounded in the principles of Paulo Freire. The investigation was based on a qualitative approach, articulating bibliographic research with the interventionist nature of action research, combining inspiration based on Paulo Freire's Culture Circles with the implementation of practical activities that valued experiences and the exchange of experiences among participants. In addition to Freire (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 2007, 2015, 2019), the main theoretical contribution, the following works were also highlighted: Arroyo (2017), Carrillo (2024), Kaefer and Paulo (2024), Luckesi (2014), Silva, Costa and Lima (2016). The approach sought to transcend the mere transmission of content, focusing on the articulation between academic knowledge and the students' reality, making learning more meaningful. As a result, a critical, dialogical and transformative education was envisioned, empowering students for a deeper understanding of their context and for the development of more just and democratic social relations. This material represents a contribution to teaching practice in EJA (Youth and Adult Education), articulating academic knowledge and lived experience for meaningful learning between teachers and students, preparing them for conscious action.