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Quality education. National Education Plan. Educational policies.
This study aims to analyze the conceptions of quality education embedded in Brazil's National Education Plan (in Portuguese, PNE) for 2014–2024. To achieve this goal, the following specific objectives were defined: a) to understand the social, historical, political, and economic factors underpinning the notion of quality education in Brazil; b) to identify the core principles of the concept of quality education; and c) to examine the goals and strategies outlined in the PNE (2014–2024), identifying the perspectives on quality education they advocate. This research investigates how the concept of quality education is addressed within the PNE’s goals and strategies, highlighting the historical, political, and economic influences that shape its understanding. Employing a qualitative approach, this investigation combines document analysis with a review of relevant literature. The findings reveal a tension between managerialist perspectives, which prioritize quantitative indicators, and socially grounded approaches, which emphasize equity and inclusion. The study concludes that the PNE reflects multiple, and at times contradictory, conceptions of quality education. These contradictions stem from broader historical, social, and economic factors, as well as the inherent ambiguity of the quality education concept itself. This complexity underscores the challenges in reaching a consensus on implementing educational policies that foster a fair and inclusive educational system.