Abstract

MAZZEU, Francisco José Carvalho. Educação e economia solidária: contribuições da “pedagogia da alternância” para a formação dos catadores de materiais recicláveis. Revista da FAAEBA: Educação e Contemporaneidade [online]. 2010, vol.19, n.34, pp.49-61. ISSN 0104-7043.

This text presents the Pedagogy of Alternating methodology, highlighting its contribution to re-think the formation of the so-called “catadores” (rubbish collectors) of recycling materials . Whereas the use of this approach in the urban area is unusual, the aim of the article is to initiate a debate to promote further elaborations. Initially, an overview of the Pedagogy of Alternating is presented and the main instruments used in this approach are commented. Two theoretical and methodological issues are indicated as challenges for catadores’ formation: the relations between Education and Work and the relations between Theory and Practice. The need to overcome this dichotomy between these dimensions of human activity (that predominates in today’s society) is defended. The “catadores” work reveals the exclusion of these workers of less organized sectors of the production chain, with few opportunities to obtain better income and qualification. Overcoming this gap requires an intense training to transform the “catadores” into “recycling workers”. To reach this goal, the implementation of Alternating experiences between study and work in cooperatives and schools is not enough. A deep transformation is needed over the ways and subjects of both study and work, in order to create emancipating activities that promote a full development of these workers.

Keywords : Solidary Economy; Pedagogy of Alternating; Catadores; Professional Training.

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