A busca ativa como estratégia de contenção da evasão no ensino superior

Abstract

This article aims to present the potential of active search as a strategy to contain dropouts in higher education during the Covid-19 pandemic. Having the perception of low student adherence to the Remote Emergency Education (ERE) academic cycles, the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) in Palotina established in March 2021 the Commission for Studies and Strategies for Containing Dropouts during Pandemic Times. Among the strategies adopted to support the work of the Work Teams created within the scope of this commission, an active search for undergraduate students who did not participate in the 2020 academic calendar was conducted. Thus, through a qualitative approach and using a participatory research method, it was possible to identify the reasons why students did not register for the university online classes and try to rescue those who lost their connection with the campus due to social distancing, but who have not made the decision to leave the undergraduate program permanently. The results of active search as a strategy to contain dropouts in higher education evidenced the importance of strengthening direct institutional contact with students to reduce dropout rates. The proposed actions can be adapted and improved for application in other university contexts.