INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND SOCIAL EQUITY: CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATIONAL POLICIES IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Inclusive education and social equity have become central principles of contemporary Brazilian educational policies, guided by the Federal Constitution of 1988, the National Education Guidelines and Framework Law, and specific regulations related to special education and diversity. This chapter aims to analyze the main challenges in the implementation of these policies within the Brazilian educational context, considering historical, socioeconomic, and institutional inequalities. Methodologically, a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study was conducted, based on a narrative literature review and analysis of legal and normative documents, drawing on authors such as Freire, Mantoan, and Arroyo. The results show that, despite normative advances, significant obstacles remain, including insufficient teacher training, lack of pedagogical and accessibility resources, and a gap between policy formulation and school-level implementation. It is concluded that strengthening inclusive education and social equity requires democratic school management, continuous investment in teacher education, and intersectoral public policies capable of addressing structural inequalities, ensuring the right to quality education for all.