Teachers worse paid than other degree-holding professionals in Brazil

Teachers with university diplomas in Brazil earn lower wages than professionals with similar educational qualifications working in other careers, according to a report published by Todos pela Educação (TPE) (“All for Education”) movement. These teachers are paid about 54.5% of what other professionals with university degrees earn.

“Teaching is not seen as a good career choice [in Brazil], unlike in countries that are well-ranked internationally for their education indicators where, in addition to appealing careers, teachers enjoy good social status,” says TPE Superintendent Alejandra Velasco.

According to her, “education standards won't improve through better wages [alone]. All the other factors should be considered, from appealing teacher training programs at universities to programs that lead to the practice of teaching and compelling career prospects, from good entry-level wages and career development opportunities to [good] working and infrastructure conditions.”

Marta Vanelli, Secretary-General of the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE), agrees: “It takes three things to improve education—good pay, good career prospects, and good working conditions, which would entail well-equipped facilities and democratic schools. Taken alone, any one of these conditions is insufficient—a combination of all three is crucial,” she said.

According to a survey conducted by the CNTE, state and local funding is not enough to pay teachers' wages, and more than half of the states are failing to comply with the minimum statutory pay, which currently stands at $632. The local, state, and district governments call on federal government, to take responsibility for a greater share of the funding, since its tax revenue is bigger.

Translated by Mayra Borges