Tensões entre esferas de governo na educação a distância: a legislação federal e a gestão da UNITINS

Abstract

The main purpose of this qualitative research in education is to explore, critically analyze and understand management aspects of higher distance education in Unitins, focusing the university interaction with federal laws, rules and government agents. The research was performed using official documents, newspapers and magazines as references, as well as theses and dissertations in which certain teaching and management practices were described by Unitins professors. The analysis was based on benchmarks of distance education and democratic management in education. We conclude that priority to profits and economic benefits prevailed in the management of distance education in Unitins. Thus, educational quality was not safeguarded in Unitins due to situations such as frequent management changes and high rates of teacher turnover. On the other hand, federal government agents had an increasingly active role in ensuring quality in education offered by Unitins, especially after a complaint from its students. During 2008 and 2009, these agents coordinated efforts to ensure an adequate solution for the disaccreditation of the institution, without impairing the students.