THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE SECOND HALF PROGRAM IN THE SOUTHERN REGION: AN ANALYSIS OF THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL SPORT

Abstract

This study discusses the importance of sports as a social right in Brazil. It highlights the Second Half Program as an important initiative that provides access to quality educational sports for children and youth in vulnerable situations. It also discusses the program's decentralized management strategy, which aims to distribute resources equitably and give greater autonomy to municipal administrators. It is emphasized that decentralization in public administration has been an important principle since the 1988 Constitution, which redefines the role of the state. In this context, it should be analyzed whether the decentralization of the Second Half Program (PST) in the South of Brazil has promoted the democratization of access to educational sports in the municipalities with the highest social vulnerability in the region. This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive approach, since the intention was to analyze certain characteristics of a population and establish relationships between the data found. For this purpose, a review of the history of agreements implemented in Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul during the twenty years of the program's existence was carried out. The Municipal Human Development Index (IDH-M) and the monthly income class of the family were used as indicators. The study showed that the program of the second half until 2022 was not present in any of the socially weaker municipalities in the region. The decentralization of the program occurred mostly in cities with a high IDH-M level. In addition, only 7.9% of the municipalities have established PST centers, a result that prompts reflection on the management model chosen and the direction of public investment.