ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION: A PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGY FOR INCLUSION AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

Abstract

Entrepreneurship as a pedagogical strategy for the resocialization and social inclusion of young people in secondary education represents one of the greatest challenges and opportunities in the contemporary Colombian context, where factors such as poverty, exclusion, and conflict have led to interrupted academic trajectories and marginalization among adolescents. Faced with the alarming school dropout rate and the risks associated with youth disengagement, this essay analyzes the transformative potential of educational entrepreneurship not only as business training but also as a humanistic experience that enables identity reconstruction, the development of socio-emotional competencies, and the opening of real opportunities for social and economic inclusion. The central objective is to establish, from a theoretical and critical perspective, how entrepreneurial education can be effective for the resocialization of young people in vulnerable situations, providing tools to reconfigure life plans, strengthen their sense of belonging, and prevent the recurrence of exclusionary practices. The methodology employed was documentary and analytical, with an exhaustive review of primary academic sources in Spanish (articles, reports, regulations, and case studies from Colombia). Thematic content analysis and a hermeneutic approach were used to integrate contributions from critical pedagogy, entrepreneurship theory, and the sociology of education. The main argumentative results show that entrepreneurship in schools positively impacts young people's self-esteem, self-efficacy, teamwork capacity, and community integration, as well as facilitating their socioeconomic inclusion and reducing risky behaviors. Limitations and risks of the model are discussed, such as the need for coordination with public policies, teacher training, and the cultural relevance of the initiatives. The conclusion is that its success depends on comprehensive and sustained implementation.