HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

the experience of the Recife metropolitan region

Abstract

The Human Rights education (HRE) is a new research area in Brazil, particularly in the context of formal education. In Pernambuco, from 2007, the work in public schools started to develop based on two axes: education as a Human Right and Human Rights education. This text aims to reflect on the work of HRE in formal education based on the experience in state public schools within the Metropolitan Region of Recife. The study methodology was the qualitative approach, using document analysis, quantitative data, interviews and observation. The analysis pointed out advances and weaknesses in the process. Among the former, the highlights were the setup of a specific structure to host HRE in the Department of Education, the curriculum updating and actions of transversality of the Human Rights content. Among the latter, the diversity of concepts, insufficient knowledge in the area and the lack of suitable materials were pointed out.