Brazil Advances Inclusive Policies for Marginalized Communities in Education and Social Support
New Brazilian policies enhance inclusion for homeless persons, indigenous, quilombola, and traditional communities through education and social programs.
- • São Luís introduces permanent policy to support people in street homelessness, emphasizing human dignity and intersectoral coordination.
- • Federal University of Piauí engages communities to draft inclusion policy ensuring access for indigenous, quilombola and quebradeiras de coco to higher education by 2026.
- • Ministry of Education launches National Policy on Indigenous School Education for Ethnoeducational Territories, promoting culturally appropriate schooling with financial benefits.
- • These initiatives highlight collaborative efforts between government bodies, educational institutions, and marginalized communities to address historical inequalities.
Key details
Brazil is making significant strides in inclusion policies addressing marginalized communities, focusing on education and support for vulnerable populations. In São Luís, City Councilor André Campos proposed Bill No. 352/2025 to establish a permanent Municipal Policy for Street Homeless Care. The initiative aims to guarantee fundamental rights and improve access to essential services like health, housing, and education for people experiencing homelessness. Campos highlighted the need for coordinated, humane actions and referenced successful national programs to underpin this structured municipal approach. The bill awaits committee evaluations before plenary voting.
Meanwhile, the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) completed consultations with indigenous, quilombola, and quebradeiras de coco communities to draft a university inclusion policy. This policy targets greater access to higher education for these historically marginalized groups, with approximately 32,000 quilombolas residing in Piauí. The policy is set for university council approval on October 14, 2023, aiming for implementation by March 2026. Community representatives will actively participate in the policy’s execution, fostering democratized education access.
Additionally, Brazil’s Ministry of Education (MEC) opened the enrollment period for the National Policy on Indigenous School Education in Ethnoeducational Territories (PNEEI-TEE). Launched on October 8, 2023, the policy supports differentiated quality education that respects indigenous customs and traditions. States and municipalities can join until November 7, 2023, to benefit schools in these territories with financial resources up to R$ 45,000 per school. A pact signed for 52 Ethnoeducational Territories underscores Brazil’s commitment to pluralistic and intercultural education.
These combined efforts underscore Brazil’s comprehensive approach to fostering dignity, equity, and participation for its most vulnerable ethnic and social groups through legislation and education reforms.