Brazil adds political education to school curriculum
The Brazilian government has enacted two laws aimed at strengthening civic education. Published on Tuesday (Jul. 14), the laws make political education and citizens’ rights mandatory components of the basic education curriculum and establish National Ethics and Citizenship Week.
One of the new laws amends the Law on Guidelines and Foundations of National Education (LDB) to make the teaching of political education and citizens’ rights mandatory in schools. The subject will now be integrated into the basic education curriculum as part of studies related to Brazil’s social and political reality.
With this change, the legislation expressly ensures that students have access to content aimed at understanding the organization of society, the exercise of citizenship, and democratic participation.
National week
The other newly enacted law establishes National Ethics and Citizenship Week. Activities related to the theme will be held annually during the first week of May across the country.
According to the law, government agencies, educational institutions, representative bodies, and civil society organizations may promote activities that foster ethical and moral values, strengthen citizenship, and encourage initiatives to combat corruption.
