The challenges of post-pandemic education: student disengagement and paths to overcoming it

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and deepened historical inequalities within the Brazilian educational system, significantly affecting student learning and retention, particularly in public schools. This article aims to analyze the main challenges faced by education in the post-pandemic period, with an emphasis on student disengagement and strategies for overcoming the resulting educational crisis. Through a bibliographic review grounded in authors such as Freire, Nóvoa, Candau, Freitas, and Magnago, the study explores structural, pedagogical, and social aspects that influence school dropout and lack of student engagement. The findings indicate that the absence of effective public policies, the inadequate use of digital technologies, and the disconnection between school curricula and students' social realities are key factors exacerbating the educational situation. Conversely, strategies based on emotional support, the strengthening of human relationships, and the implementation of active learning methodologies have proven effective in rebuilding school connections and valuing student agency. It is concluded that addressing post-pandemic educational challenges requires coordinated action among schools, families, communities, and public authorities, including investment in teacher training, school infrastructure, and digital inclusion. The reconstruction of public education demands an ethical commitment to equity, student voice, and the recognition of the diverse realities that shape the educational landscape. This study seeks to contribute to academic debate and the development of educational policies that are more responsive to the demands of the present time.