Abstract
This article analyzes the role of education as an instrument of social mobility and public safety in Brazil, with an emphasis on the Programa de Trabalho Protegido na Adolescência (PTPA – Program for Protected Work in Adolescence). The study is based on the premise that education, although historically advocated as a pathway to social mobility, faces structural challenges that limit its impact in vulnerable territories, where violence and school exclusion are key determinants of inequality. Drawing on authors such as Florestan Fernandes, Darcy Ribeiro, and Paulo Freire, the article emphasizes that the effectiveness of education depends on the concrete conditions of access and permanence for historically marginalized groups. The central objective of the study is to understand why the PTPA is perceived as a public safety policy by its beneficiaries, evaluating its relevance for social protection and reducing youth vulnerability. Qualitative research allows for an in-depth analysis of the experiences of adolescents served by the program and their families, highlighting that intersectorality – by integrating education, professional qualification, and social support – enhances opportunities for social inclusion and combats the effects of the criminalization of poverty. As a key conclusion, the article underscores that initiatives like the PTPA demonstrate the potential of intersectorality in designing effective public policies. By coordinating different sectors – education, security, and social assistance – the program not only prevents school dropout and exposure to violence but also creates concrete pathways for productive inclusion. Thus, the expansion of the PTPA could represent a model for public policies that recognize the complexity of social inequalities and act in an integrated manner to promote citizenship and safety in vulnerable territories.