Brazil's MEC Announces Construction of 117 Indigenous Schools Across 17 States
Brazil's Ministry of Education announces a R$ 785 million investment to construct 117 indigenous schools across 17 states starting in 2026, emphasizing respect for indigenous cultural identity and educational equity.
- • 117 indigenous schools to be built across 17 states under the New PAC program.
- • R$ 785 million invested with a focus on respecting indigenous cultural identities.
- • Amazonas, Roraima, and Amapá are the top beneficiaries with the most schools.
- • Initiative aligns with Brazil's National Policy for Indigenous Education and ILO Convention 169.
Key details
The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) has unveiled a major initiative to build 117 indigenous schools across 17 states, signaling a strong government commitment to improving educational infrastructure tailored to indigenous communities. The announcement was made by Education Minister Camilo Santana during a visit to the Sahu-Apé indigenous community in Amazonas on February 26, 2026.
This ambitious plan is part of the Education, Science and Technology axis of the New Growth Acceleration Program (Novo PAC), which allocates R$ 785 million to constructing and expanding indigenous schools starting this year. The schools will respect the cultural identities, lifestyles, and territorial organization of indigenous peoples and traditional communities, aiming to provide dignified, quality educational environments inclusive of recreational spaces.
The project prioritizes 17 states, with Amazonas, Roraima, and Amapá receiving the largest shares — 27, 23, and 17 schools respectively. Other states benefiting include Acre, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Pará, Pernambuco, and Rio Grande do Sul, among others. School locations were chosen based on technical, population, and territorial criteria, with proposals evaluated and managed through the TransfereGov system alongside input from the National Education Development Fund and Caixa Econômica Federal.
Minister Santana emphasized the ongoing educational inequalities facing indigenous peoples and highlighted the federal government's commitment under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to addressing these challenges. Quoting Santana, "Education is the only path to generate opportunities and build a more sovereign and just country, and we cannot leave anyone behind."
This initiative represents a significant advancement of Brazil's National Policy for Indigenous School Education and aligns with ILO Convention 169, which protects the fundamental rights of indigenous and tribal peoples. The program aims to respond to long-standing demands for specific infrastructure in indigenous territories, ensuring legitimacy through collaboration with indigenous leaders.
Alongside the schools announcement, Minister Santana visited projects at the Federal University of Amazonas, which are receiving considerable investment, including R$ 7.9 million for the Faculty of Letters and R$ 7.4 million for the Faculty of Social Studies—further illustrating the federal government's focus on expanding education across indigenous and general academic settings.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
