Accountability in society as a mechanism for control and transparency of education privatization actions

Abstract

This article addresses how transparency, as an accountability mechanism, can serve as a strategy for social oversight regarding the privatization of education. Conversely, it examines how the lack of data transparency concerning government actions can undermine republican principles of public management oversight, as mandated by constitutional and sub-constitutional provisions. We present a synthesis of a literature review and documentary research analyzing legislation governing social oversight of government actions and transparency portals in the Northern Minas Gerais mesoregion. We critically examine gaps in democratic control and accountability mechanisms regarding the diverse forms of privatization at the municipal level, as well as their impact on civil society's monitoring of the state apparatus. To this end, we focus on: concepts of accountability; legal norms and instruments regarding social oversight; key organizational trends in transparency portals across small, medium, and large municipalities; and the categorization of privatization initiatives listed on these portals, as evidenced by contracts with private entities. The study’s findings reveal significant inconsistencies in compliance with the Transparency Law and the effectiveness of monitoring tools, largely due to the inadequacy of instruments designed for social oversight. While 476 privatization initiatives were identified, only one of the 89 portals consulted in the region featured an efficient filter for locating contracts with private entities. The absence of a system to evaluate and regulate transparency tools compromises the effectiveness of social oversight regarding government actions and, specifically, the proliferation of privatization.