This work aims to analyze the implementation of the National School Councils Strengthening Program (PNFCE) in the municipality of Palmas/TO - Brazil, in order to understand the participation of the segments involved, based on the concepts of representative and participatory democracy. It is assumed that the implementation of this Program was based on the foundations of the governmental proposal that established public policies to be developed and its priorities in terms of administrative and financial management. For this research, conceptual studies of categories related to democracy and participation were carried out. In the theoretical foundations, the different conceptions of democracy are exposed, highlighting the representative and participatory democracy, exploring its definitions, its criteria and the contexts in which they occur. Furthermore, it also presents the concept of participation, in an attempt to show its close relationship with democracy. Finally, alludes to the foundations of education, analyzing categories proper to the principle of democratic management of public school and participation. Additionally, research where conducted on the implementation of PNFCE at federal, state and municipal levels. Methodologically, the research was based on a qualitative approach, having, as an empirical field, the Municipal Education System of the municipality of Palmas-TO, where the PNFCE implementation experience showed signs of effective democratic practices in the local community. The research was based on documentary and empirical sources, whose data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with members of the Articulating Group for Strengthening School Councils in the Municipality of Palmas-TO (GAFCE). Data analysis revealed that the PNFCE promoted access to and broadened the debates about democratic management in school spaces. However, the development of actions in the municipality occurred for a limited period of time (2014-2016), and did not materialize in initiatives that provided any continuity experience. The activities developed did not reflect in legal prediction of the democratic management in the municipality, considering especially, the mechanisms for its accomplishment. Therefore, it is not possible to identify further details regarding the structure for its continuation or possibilities of implementation as a state policy. At a federal and state level, the same discontinuity movement is observed as abrupt interruption of the Program, which is reflected in the implemented policies.
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