Escola sem Partido (Portuguese for ''Nonpartisan School'') is a political movement in Brazil aimed at curbing what its supporters perceive to be ideological indoctrination in schools and universities.

History

The movement began in 2004, when attorney Miguel Nagib created a website where parents could post complaints of teachers and professors who were supposedly indoctrinating their children politically. Since then, there have been several proposals and bills introduced nationwide inspired by the "Escola sem Partido" concept, one of which was approved in the state of

Alagoas Alagoas () is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil and is situated in the eastern part of the Northeast Region, Brazil, Northeast Region. It borders: Pernambuco (N and NW); Sergipe (S); Bahia (SW); and the Atlantic Ocean (E). Its capital is ...

in 2016. A federal bill, Bill no. 193, was introduced in 2016 by Senator

Magno Malta Magno Malta (born October 16, 1957) is a Brazilian evangelical pastor, religious singer, and politician. He has represented Espírito Santo in the Federal Senate from 2003 to 2019 and was re-elected for a separate term that began in 2023. He i ...

Repercussion

The movement has gained steam in 2018, with the

election An election is a formal group decision-making process whereby a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold Public administration, public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative d ...

Jair Bolsonaro Jair Messias Bolsonaro (; born 21 March 1955) is a Brazilian politician and former military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. He previously served as a member of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies (Brazil), Chamb ...

as president. Bolsonaro is a supporter of "Escola sem Partido", as was his former

Minister of Education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...

Ricardo Vélez Rodríguez Ricardo Vélez Rodríguez (born 15 November 1943) is a Colombian-Brazilian philosopher and former Minister of Education of Brazil. Biography Rodríguez was born in 1943 in Bogotá, Colombia. He received a degree in Philosophy from the Pontifi ...

.'Será uma coisa moderada', diz futuro ministro sobre projeto Escola sem Partido, Folha
/ref> Opponents of "Escola sem Partido" say that the movement's proposals would restrict

freedom of speech Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The rights, right to freedom of expression has been r ...

in the classroom and would harm critical thinking. Federal deputy

Erika Kokay Erika Jucá Kokay (born 15 August 1957) is a Brazilian politician. Although born in Ceará, she has spent her political career representing the Federal District, having served as state representative since 2011. Personal life Kokay was born to L ...

suggested that a "Escola sem Partido" bill would turn teachers into "enemies of the nation". In November 2018 the

Global Campaign for Education Global Campaign for Education (GCE) is an international coalition of non-governmental organizations, working to promote children's and adult education through research and advocacy. It was formed in 1999 as a partnership between NGOs that were sepa ...

released a motion criticizing "Escola sem Partido".Mais de 150 entidades de 87 países se unem contra Escola Sem Partido, Exame
/ref>

References

External links

*{{url, escolasempartido.org, Official campaign website Social movements in Brazil Education in Brazil