Brazil Launches 'More Teachers for Brazil' Policy to Boost Teaching Careers
Brazil enacts a new national policy featuring scholarships and reforms aimed at attracting and retaining teachers in basic education amid growing shortages.
- • President Lula sanctioned Law 15.344 establishing the National Policy for Induction to Teaching in Basic Education.
- • Scholarships will be awarded to high-performing students enrolling in teaching degree programs, prioritizing regions with teacher shortages.
- • An annual National Teacher Exam will be implemented to support teacher selection processes.
- • The policy promotes campaigns to enhance the attractiveness of teaching careers and supports teacher development and retention.
Key details
On January 13, 2026, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially sanctioned Law 15.344, instituting the National Policy for Induction to Teaching in Basic Education, known as 'Mais Professores para o Brasil' (More Teachers for Brazil). This significant legislation aims to address Brazil's critical shortage of qualified teachers by making teaching careers more attractive and supporting student retention in education degree programs.
Brazil faces a potential teacher shortage, with projections indicating a deficit of 235,000 basic education teachers by 2040. Recent data reveal an urgent need for 57% more math teachers and 68% more science/biology teachers. Compounding this challenge, only 2.4% of Brazilian youths aged 15 express an interest in pursuing teaching careers.
The new policy provides scholarships to high-achieving high school students enrolling in in-person undergraduate teaching programs, focusing particularly on regions with documented teacher shortages. Recipients must commit to working at least two years in public basic education after graduation. It also extends scholarship opportunities to licensed professionals pursuing postgraduate studies while working in shortage areas.
A notable feature of the policy is the establishment of the annual National Teacher Exam (Prova Nacional Docente), which seeks to enhance and unify teacher selection across federal entities. Additionally, the government will launch campaigns to promote the teaching profession, foster student participation in research and extension projects, and offer mental health support for education students.
This initiative builds on the 'More Teachers for Brazil' program launched in January 2025, which has benefited 2.7 million teachers and impacted over 57 million students. The comprehensive policy is guided by five principles: valuing teachers, promoting teaching careers, improving quality in basic education, overcoming educational inequalities, and ensuring equitable teacher training nationwide.
Senator Professora Dorinha Seabra highlighted the law's importance in making teaching careers more appealing. Originating from a Senate bill by Senator Flávio Arns, the policy was refined in the Chamber of Deputies before final approval. It represents a critical step in combating Brazil’s looming teacher shortage and improving educational equity and quality across the country.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
