Bolsonaro, a supporter of the "School Without Political Parties" movement, says that teachers no longer have the prestige they once did: "We have to reclaim that."

247 - Em inauguration ceremony In response to the new Minister of Education, Milton Ribeiro, this Thursday (16), Jair Bolsonaro followed the tone of the new head of the MEC and spoke of "rescuing" the respect and prestige of Brazilian teachers. 

At the beginning of his term, the "School Without Political Parties" project, which attacks the autonomy of teachers, was one of Bolsonaro's main campaign promises, as he accused education professionals of indoctrinating students with communist ideas.

Bolsonaro also mentioned that, in a conversation with the Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, he said that "what liberates a country, what liberates a man, is not social programs, it is knowledge, and this knowledge comes, in large part, from the Ministry of Education," in a clear criticism of the Brazilian social agenda. It is worth noting that access to higher education for many people, for example, is achieved through social programs.

See what Jair Bolsonaro said:

"Milton, listening to you speak a little while ago reminded me a bit of my time as a student. I also always studied in public schools, and coming from that poorer region [of São Paulo], I succeeded in the entrance exam for the Army preparatory school in Campinas, with just over 40,000 candidates for 200 places. And soon after, also in the entrance exam for the Agulhas Negras Military Academy, where there were around 40,000 candidates for 38 places. All this without any preparatory courses. Back then, Milton, listening to you speak, the teacher not only had authority in the classroom but also exercised it. I remember the 60s, during city celebrations, when there was a wedding, for example, the first people on the guest lists were the teachers. We have to reclaim that. Teachers are practically our second parents; they are the ones to whom we owe respect and recognition for what they teach us, which will remain with us forever. The life of a teacher is not easy these days. They tried to fix it, but in reality, they made a mistake. There is still today..." There is a vast array of excellent and exceptional teachers at all levels in Brazil, and with the arrival of a minister focused on dialogue, using their experience and wanting the best for the children, this understanding will certainly be present. It is a large, complex ministry, with autonomy in its sectors, often depending on councils to make decisions. The life of a minister is not easy, and the future of our nation largely depends on them. I have already told Paulo Guedes: what liberates a country, what liberates a man, is not social programs, it is knowledge, and this knowledge comes, in large part, from the Ministry of Education. We know of your difficulties; I know you are now making a transition with Vogel, a colleague of ours, an executive from Weintraub's team, who left us recently. I am sure the transition will be smooth. You will be able to, strategically, place people by your side with the same spirit as yours, although you can be sure that a large part of the ministry thinks like you. They, now in your person, will be able to realize their potential so that we can then give the best of your ministry to Brazil, a fact that... "It will set us free. Dear Milton Ribeiro, thank you very much for accepting this challenge. In the few times we spoke, you clearly showed concern about taking on this role; the challenges are enormous, and you once said you were leaving behind some routines, some comforts, to face a great challenge far from your usual environment. I am certain that, with your infantry spirit, since you were a reserve officer in our Brazilian Army, you will know very well how to lead this very important portfolio for the future of our Brazil."