Chamber of Deputies approves new high school reform and sends bill to the Senate on 20/03/2024

On Wednesday (20), the Chamber of Deputies approved the new high school reform, which aims to adapt the alternatives for training students to the reality of schools. Bill 5230/23, authored by the Executive Branch, was approved with some changes compared to the 2017 reform. The text, now sent to the Senate, maintains the workload of 2,400 hours for basic general education, adding up the three years of high school, for students who do not opt for technical education.

The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, stressed that the approval of the 2,400 hours of basic general training was essential, guaranteeing the quality of the project. During the public consultation held in 2023, 80% of students defended the integration of vocational technical education with secondary education.

The approved text also provides for the offer of training itineraries in areas such as languages, mathematics, natural sciences and human sciences. In addition, there will be the possibility of offering technical education through technical cooperation between state education departments and accredited professional education institutions.

Other changes include the creation of pedagogical proposals by schools, recognition of learning and skills developed in out-of-school experiences, and the transition to the new rules for students who are already in high school.

The bill also calls for new national guidelines to be drawn up by the end of 2024, with the rules to be applied by schools from 2025. From 2027, the selection process for higher education will take into account the areas of knowledge developed in high school.

Members of parliament and experts highlighted the importance of the reform for improving education in the country, emphasizing the need for equity and inclusion of students in conditions of social vulnerability. The debate in Plenary revealed divergent opinions, but the approval of the bill represents a significant step forward for education in Brazil.