STUDENT ASSISTANCE IN A PUBLIC STATE UNIVERSITY: A STUDY IN THE LIGHT OF THE REPERCUSSIONS OF COVID-19

Abstract

This article aims to describe the contribution and shares developed by the State University of Piauí related to student assistance in the face of the challenges of remote learning in the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the permanence from March 2020 to June 2021. The study promotes discussions about the current context of inequalities and the management of public policies for student Assistance, focusing on student retention. According to the method, it is a qualitative approach, descriptive in nature, using the case study as a research method. The main results show consistent measures regarding the supply of vacancies in four public notices launched in the pandemic period. However, in relation to the types of programs implemented and the effective number of students served, it is clear that there was a lower contemplation of students, not reaching the numbers initially projected with a view to granting the benefits. These actions made it possible for students to access the Internet during remote classes. Also, some benefits aimed at paying for housing according to the family environment. Currently, the university maintains its classes remotely as a teaching-learning strategy. Although it is noticed that there was movement by the HEI (IES) in promoting student assistance actions during the pandemic period, with regard to the efficiency in promoting such measures, it is recognized that there was a small student adhesion to the benefits offered, requiring the university to rethink the strategies with a view to reducing dropout.