Infraestrutura Educacional na SRE Divinópolis: as barreiras na manutenção predial e realização de obras na visão de diretores e da Rede Física

Abstract

This research addresses the difficulties in carrying out construction works and renovations in state schools under the Regional Superintendence of Education (SRE) of Divinópolis, which serves 124 units across 30 municipalities in Minas Gerais. It was found that schools in this region face multiple challenges in managing their infrastructure. Given this scenario, the study sought to understand and analyze the difficulties encountered by school principals and the responsible sector of SRE Divinópolis (Rede Física) in conducting construction projects and building maintenance. The research found that, despite the resources and public structure dedicated to this area, poor conservation of school buildings is common among state schools. Concepts of building maintenance, construction works, and school infrastructure were discussed from the perspective of the actors involved and the values guiding their decision-making. The applied qualitative methodology used mixed data collection instruments: interviews with school principals selected based on objective criteria, a focus group with the SRE Rede Física team, and an online questionnaire administered to all SRE Divinópolis principals to broaden the scope and validate the findings. Data triangulation showed that school infrastructure management difficulties at SRE Divinópolis are concentrated in three interrelated categories: bureaucracy, operational problems, and the relationship between principals, the SRE, and the State Secretariat of Education (SEE/MG). The study identified bureaucratic obstacles in hiring processes, the lack of professionalism among construction companies, the accumulation of structural pathologies in school buildings, and the limited service capacity of the regional team, among other challenges. To contribute to process optimization and reduce educational inequalities in the region, the study proposes an Educational Action Plan (PAE) with strategies aimed at addressing the problems identified in each analytical category.