INFREQUENCY AND SCHOOL EVASION:

an analysis of the cases registered by the guardianship council during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Between 2020 and 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic became firmly established, generating repercussions across multiple dimensions of social life. Social distancing, in particular, temporarily restructured interpersonal dynamics — with enduring implications for the historical and social fabric — affecting both sporadic interactions and routine practices, such as attending or being present at school. These disruptions must be examined as a legitimate object of academic inquiry, with the aim of elucidating concrete social processes, identifying the structural elements that shape reality, and, where appropriate, proposing targeted responses to mitigate their effects. Accordingly, this study aimed to analyze patterns of school absenteeism and dropout reported to Guardianship Council 4 (West), located in Campina Grande, Paraíba, during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–2022). The analysis was based on officially recorded cases of non-attendance and dropout that, following verification by the Council, were deemed procedurally valid. Key variables considered included age group, gender, and neighborhood of residence. An analytical review of the Council’s records revealed that, in the context of the uncertainties generated by the pandemic — alongside the hasty implementation of remote learning models in response to the public health emergency — instances of absenteeism and school dropout were significantly underreported. These findings underscore the need for critical assessment of institutional responses and the development of more robust monitoring mechanisms in times of crisis.