Amid protests, Mendonça swears in CNE council members.

247 - The interim Minister of Education, Mendonça Filho, swore in 12 members of the National Education Council this Monday, the body responsible for formulating and evaluating national education policy. During the ceremony, at the council's headquarters in Brasília, Mendonça and the new council members were the target of a protest demanding the appointment of the legitimate council members.

The protest refers to the revocation, by interim president Michel Temer, of the 12 nominations for CNE (National Education Council) members made by President Dilma Rousseff. Following the revocation, the interim president appointed 12 members to the CNE, retaining six names nominated by Dilma.

The reaction occurred during the reading of the oath of office for council members, when a group of people in the Council's auditorium stood up holding signs with the phrase "Coup plotters: for the inauguration of the legitimate CNE council members," and shouted slogans such as "this council does not represent me" and "coup plotters." Another group of people also remained in protest in front of the CNE building.

The following individuals were sworn in to the Basic Education Chamber: José Francisco Soares, Nilma Santos Fontanive, Suely Melo de Castro Menezes, Eduardo Deschamps, Alessio Costa Lima, and Gersem Luciano. Rafael Ramacciotti's reappointment was maintained. For the Higher Education Chamber, the following individuals were appointed: Antônio Araújo Freitas Júnior, Antônio Carbonari Netto, Francisco de Sá Barreto, Luiz Roberto Curi, and José Loureiro Lopes.

Revocation of appointments

On June 28th, a decree by interim president Michel Temer, in conjunction with the interim Minister of Education, revoked the appointment of the 12 council members chosen by Dilma Rousseff. The revocation generated protests from organizations linked to the education sector. It was the first time in the history of the National Education Council (CNE) that council member appointments had been revoked.

The council members removed by the interim government promise to file a writ of mandamus with the Supreme Federal Court to ensure that their appointments are upheld. Temer's nominations excluded Maria Izabel Azevedo Noronha, Antônio Carlos Caruso Ronca, and Antônio Ibañez Ruiz from the Basic Education Chamber. From the Higher Education Chamber, Luiz Fernandes Dourado, José Eustáquio Romão, and Maria Lúcia Cavalli Neder were excluded.

Former Education Minister Aloizio Mercadante criticized the annulment of the CNE (National Education Council) appointments. According to Mercadante, "the nominations made by President Dilma Rousseff constituted a legally valid act, carried out by a government with the legitimacy to do so."

According to the former minister, the nominations, made by Dilma, were the result of significant social participation, respecting nominations made by 39 civil education entities and a schedule agreed upon with the National Education Council (CNE) itself. Maria Izabel Azevedo Noronha, for example, was nominated by CONTEE, CNTE, UNE, and UBES. "Teachers and workers have the right to be represented on the CNE," says the former minister.

Professors Antônio Ronca and Antônio Ibañez Ruiz topped the lists of nominations made by civil education organizations. "They were already members of the CNE, where they had a very strong presence over the past few years," says Mercadante.

Finally, the former minister argues that some indications from the interim and provisional government strengthen the private sector, which could be risky within the scope of the National Education Council (CNE). "One of the fundamental roles of the CNE is the regulation and oversight of the private sector, which, with more than 5 million enrollments, plays a central role in the expansion of higher education. But, without oversight, rigor, and control, it is not driven towards quality," says Mercadante.

Without mentioning the protest during the inauguration speech for the new council members, the interim minister, Mendonça Filho, said that his administration at the ministry is open to dialogue and has been receiving representatives from various areas of Brazilian education. He also said that he respects the diversity of opinions and called on everyone to unite in the pursuit of quality education.

In a statement, the Ministry of Education (MEC) claimed that the appointments were made by Dilma "in the dying days" of her government. "These nominations were made to prevent the new government from appointing new members to the CNE within the normal timeline," the statement said.

The National Education Council (CNE) is composed of 24 members and is responsible for formulating and evaluating national education policy and ensuring the quality of education.

Dilma's government nominations

Basic Education Chamber:

Maria Izabel Azevedo Noronha: CONTEE, CNTE, UNE and UBES
Antonio Carlos Caruso Ronca: ANPAE, CONTEE, ANFOP, UNE and ABED
Antonio Ibañez Ruiz: ABC, ANDIFES, ABED, SBPC, ABED and CRUB

Higher Education Chamber:

Luiz Fernandes Dourado: CNTE, ANPED, UNCME and ANPAE
José Eustáquio Romão: CRUB and ANPG
Maria Lúcia Cavalli Neder: ABEDi, ANDIFESE CRUB

Internal government recommendations Temer

Basic Education Chamber:

José Francisco Soares: ABAVE
Nilma Santos Fontanive: ABAVE (third place)
Suely Melo De Castro Menezes: CONSED (last place), UNCME and FNCE

Higher Education Chamber:

Antonio Araújo Freitas Júnior: ABE and ANDRAD
Antonio Carbonari Netto: ANM
Francisco César de Sá Barreto: ABC