Respect for the teachers.
The teaching profession is perhaps the noblest of all those involved in the development of a nation.
This week we celebrated Teacher's Day, honoring those entrusted with the task of encouraging and guiding the intellectual and moral growth of new generations. The teaching profession is perhaps the noblest of all those involved in the development of a nation.
Valuing the teaching profession is essential so that these professionals can fully carry out their mission. Educational problems have persisted for decades in our country, especially in Alagoas, where low literacy rates remain challenges to be faced.
The good news is that, in 2013, the national minimum wage for teachers began to be implemented in Alagoas for all teaching professionals in the state public school system. Unfortunately, many states still do not comply with this federal law, which is so important for the country.
The national minimum wage is a historic milestone, an achievement for teachers, and a guarantee that we are beginning a path towards quality education. The lack of implementation of the minimum wage is one of the problems that most affects the quality of education in Brazil.
The federal government rightly instituted the "Todos Pela Educação" (All for Education) program and the "Um bom professor, um bom começo" (A good teacher, a good start) campaign, with the goal of valuing teachers, who are the most important figure in a young person's life for many years.
We know that the way to value teachers is through salary, which is almost always below their expectations. Equally imperative is a definition of the National Education Plan, currently under debate in the Senate, which foresees allocating 10% of GDP to the sector.
As long as Brazil doesn't prioritize investments in education and as long as teachers aren't paid a decent wage – which in many remote areas is still R$700 or R$800 – nothing will change.
As long as this distortion remains uncorrected, we cannot expect a better future for our young people. Teachers need and want more than just a day of reverence and tributes. They have been waiting for years for more action from municipal, state, and federal governments.
* This is an opinion article, the responsibility of the author, and does not reflect the opinion of Brasil 247.