Municipal Education Councils and Democratic governance: a study in two municipalities in Mato Grosso

Abstract

This article analyzes democratic management within Municipal Education Councils, focusing on the policies and actions implemented in two municipalities in the state of Mato Grosso. The general objective is to analyze documents, policies, and actions implemented by the Municipal Education Council aimed at strengthening democratic management, with a focus on the effective implementation of participation and social oversight in the Municipal Education Councils of the Diamantino Regional Education Directorate, Mato Grosso. The research adopts a qualitative approach, with bibliographic and documentary analysis, as well as semi-structured interviews with representatives of the Municipal Education Councils and a municipal department of education. Data analysis was guided by Stephen Ball's policy cycle approach to understand contexts of influence, text production, and practice, seeking to identify normative tensions and the effective implementation of democratic management. The results reveal that in one of the municipalities there is greater legislative density regulating proactive actions by the collegiate body and a diversified organization, although tensions persist regarding autonomy, continuing education, and the effective participation of council members. In the other municipality, normative and structural weaknesses are observed, along with centralized decision-making in municipal administration and limitations in representation and participation. The results indicate that the effective implementation of democratic management requires institutional strengthening of the collegiate bodies, autonomy, the review and updating of normative instruments, the expansion of intersectoral dialogue, training for council members, and strategies to broaden social representation.