School dropout in technical courses at IFTO, campus Araguaína

A comparative analysis of the pre- and post-covid-19 pandemic periods

Abstract

This study analyzes the factors associated with school dropout in technical courses integrated with secondary education at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Tocantins (IFTO), Campus Araguaína, during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Institutional data from the Nilo Peçanha Platform and the IFTO's internal system were analyzed using a quantitative and exploratory-descriptive approach. Simple and multiple logistic regression models identified factors related to dropout. Dropout rates decreased from 13.0% in the pre-pandemic period to 5.7% during the pandemic. Before the pandemic, being male (OR=1.82), aged 18 to 24 years (OR=3.31), and non-white (OR=2.25) were the main associated factors. During the pandemic, low family income (RFP ≤ 1) emerged as the primary determinant (OR=4.28). Emergency policies, such as the distribution of technological devices and financial aid, were crucial in mitigating dropout rates. The results show that school dropout is a multifactorial phenomenon, with determinants varying according to social and economic contexts. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of dropout in crisis scenarios, providing insights for more effective and equitable policies within the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific, and Technological Education (RFEPCT).