Os (as) quilombolas e as políticas de ações afirmativas no ensino superior, campus universitário de Bragança, Nordeste Paraense

Introduction: the Brazilian public educational system is marked by neglect towards investments in the area of Higher Education in Brazil. Objective: to investigate affirmative action policies concerning quilombolas, with an eye on access and permanence at UFPA, Campus de Bragança. Given this scenario, the problem question arises: to what extent do affirmative action policies contribute to the access and retention of quilombolas in Higher Education at the Federal University of Pará, Bragança Campus? Method: the research was based on a qualitative approach and the data collection technique was a questionnaire with semi-structured questions. Ten quilombola students were selected through a draw – out of a universe of 84 students – to participate in the research. The analysis occurred, firstly, by organizing and tabulating the responses from the questionnaire. The data collected has a qualitative nature and was treated through discourse analysis. Results: the study demonstrated the feelings of pride and achievement of the research subjects, in addition to the search for affirmation of identity within an academic and opinion-forming space. Conclusion: the statements emphasized that questions about culture, history, identities, values ​​and knowledge and the affirmation of their identities are fundamental processes for guaranteeing permanence and, therefore, talking about permanence in Higher Education for students quilombolas, is to break with the dichotomy of having financial aid or not, but to talk about identity, representations, values, culture, teacher training, curriculum, among others.