The effects of the Pandemic on Early Childhood Education in the State of Paraíba/PB

Abstract

This article analyzes the possible effects of the pandemic on educational service indicators for children aged 0 to 5 years and the achievement of Goal 1 of the National Education Plan (PNE/2014/2024) considering the years 2019 to 2022 as a time frame, between 2019 and 2022, a critical period of the health crisis. This is a research, with a quantitative-qualitative approach, using documentary analysis as both its methodological strategy and investigation technique. The School Census reports from INEP/MEC and the IBGE Census, as well as the National Education Plan, the State Education Plan (PEE/2015–2025), and the Municipal Education Plans (PMEs) of Paraíba were considered as research sources. The results indicate that the pandemic significantly affected enrollment in Early Childhood Education (EI), especially among non-white children, those living in rural areas, those on low incomes and in vulnerable situations. This impact led to setbacks in the universalization of preschool and the expansion of daycare services, compromising the achievement of Goal 1 of the Municipal, State, and National Education Plans. The critical analysis of the data reveals the need for more robust and equitable public policies to ensure the right to Early Childhood Education, particularly for children living in rural areas.