Mercadante promises student leaders to fight for more funds in education
Gathering promoted by the National Union of Students (UNE) in Brasília against the fiscal adjustment and the recent cuts in social areas, most notably education. 
Newly appointed Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante welcomed Tuesday (Sep. 6) leaders from the student movement in a gathering promoted by the National Union of Students (UNE) in Brasília against the fiscal adjustment and the recent cuts in social areas, most notably education.
According to UNE head Carina Vitral, the minister pledged to fight for more investment in education, work to improve public universities by finishing construction works and implementing low-cost cafeterias, in addition to assembling a commission to discuss abolishing distance classes in traditional classroom programs.
Education minister Aloizio Mercadante i
“As an alternative to the slashes, which add up to $2.78 billion, the minister mentioned initiatives aimed at taxing the wealthy, for instance, as a way to dodge cuts in education,” Carina added.
With Aloizio Mercadante as head of education, students hope the fiscal adjustment in the sector to be reversed and investments to be expanded, she said.
“We don't think education is the target of the cuts in the fiscal adjustment. Education is what gives development its momentum and young people their opportunities,” Carina argued before meeting with the minister.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Mercadante promises student leaders to fight for more funds in education
