Frequently educational policies are designed after consultations promoted by public officials to the targeted social groups. This debate lends legitimacy and shed light on educational planning. Nevertheless, more often than not, decision making does not reflect the real opinions of the interested groups once the process is lead by burocrats in power. The French sociologist Charles Suaud suggested that interested groups have very little influence on the burocrats definition of who they are and how should their representatives be appointed.This paper is an analysis inspired by Charles Suaud work of I Congresso Mineiro de Educação - a pioneer endeavour to broaden democratic participation in Minas Gerais public schools. It is showned that governmental officers that controlled the allegedly democratic hearings, decided unilaterally. When, how and where interested groups would be allowed to give their real opinion and to what extent these might be taken into consideration.
Power relationship; School administration; Educational policies; Educational planning; Making-decision process