EXPERIÊNCIAS EM EDUCAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL E TECNOLÓGICA NO BRASIL SOB AS REFLEXÕES CRÍTICAS DE JOHN DEWEY E VITOR HENRIQUE PARO: AS EEEPs E O IFSP

This article analyzes the specificities of Professional and Technological Education (EPT) in Brazil, emphasizing its dual role: technical training and qualification, and the promotion of citizenship from a holistic perspective. Grounded in theoretical approaches, the text examines the works Democracy and Education by John Dewey (2007) and Education as an Exercise of Power: A Critique of the Common Sense in Education by Vitor Henrique Paro (2008), exploring how their ideas contribute to a more critical and democratic approach to EPT. Dewey advocates for education as a democratic practice, emphasizing critical thinking and social responsibility, while Vitor Paro critiques the reproduction of power structures in education by proposing emancipatory practices. This study reflects the experiences of two EPT institutions: the Professional Education State Schools of Ceará (EEEPs) and the Federal Institute of São Paulo (IFSP), analyzing their approaches from a perspective that suggests integrating technical education with citizenship formation, preparing individuals for both the labor market and active, critical social participation. Supported by the readings, the article highlights the potential of EPT as a transformative tool, capable of fostering critical awareness and addressing social inequalities.