SCHOOL WHEN THERE’S NO SCHOOL: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FROM THE CHILDREN’S POINTS OF VIEW

ABSTRACT This article discusses the meanings of school for children between 8 and 12 years old amid class suspension over the COVID-19 pandemic. The comprehension of the children’s points of view is based on the recognition of their rights and their ability to participate in social life, as demonstrated by childhood studies in the social sciences. We analyze survey data collected from 2.021 children in Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region (Brazil). Results indicate that children understand school as a place which has a wide range of functions, among which learning, care, and sociability are included.