The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) announced on Wednesday (12) that it will close the National Program of Civic-Military Schools (Pecim) established in 2019, during the management of former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). .
Pecim was the main flag of the Jair Bolsonaro government for education. When it was launched, in 2019, it provided for the installation of 200 schools in this model by 2023. According to the Ministry of Education (MEC), 216 schools adhered to the model in the five regions of the country.
The program was the target of both praise and criticism, in addition to reports of abuse by the military in schools. Since taking office, President Lula’s team has been studying how to finalize Pecim without harming the units that joined the program.
In the letter obtained by CNN, sent to the state secretaries of Education, reasons are given for discontinuing the program, such as “deviation from the purpose of Armed Forces activities”.
In addition to classifying the justification for carrying out Pecim as “problematic”, by assuming that the management model of the schools and the participation of the military would be “the solution for facing the issues arising from the social vulnerability of the territories in which public schools are inserted ”.
Schools that adopted the model through Pecim will undergo a transition to reintegrate into regular public education networks. And the decision does not cover similar initiatives proposed by state governments and executed between the State Departments of Education and their public security forces.
How does a civic-military school work?
The civic-military model is different from the model of military schools maintained by the Armed Forces.
According to the previous government, in civic-military schools, the state education departments would continue to be responsible for the school curriculum, which is the same as in civilian schools. And teachers and other education professionals remain responsible for the didactic-pedagogical work.
The military, who may be members of the Military Police or the Armed Forces, would act as monitors in educational management, establishing coexistence norms and applying disciplinary measures.
The program terminated by the federal government was carried out in partnership between the MEC and the Ministry of Defense. The civic-military schools that will continue to exist, as a result of state or municipal decisions, have shared management between the Education and Public Security departments.
Military schools are managed entirely by the Armed Forces, which have autonomy to define the institution’s school curriculum and pedagogical structure. There are, in all, 14 military schools in Brazil.
How much does it cost to study at a military school?
Both the civic-military schools maintained by state governments or city halls, as well as the military schools administered by the Armed Forces, are public.
However, there are also military-inspired private schools, which seek to impose stricter rules of conduct on students, but have no connection with the Public Security Secretariat of the state or city where they operate.
At what age is it possible to enter a military school?
Both civic-military schools and military schools are offered from elementary school 2 and/or high school, depending on the institution that adopts the models.
How is admission to military schools?
The process of enrolling or transferring to a civic-military school depends on the institution and the number of places available in that unit. In addition to the availability of places, you may need to provide a test.
There is also the possibility that the school where a student is already studying will adopt the civic-military model, which should involve consultation with the school community, and even the student’s parents.
There are two ways to enter a military school in the Army: by open competition and by regulatory support.
Contests are held annually for the 6th year of elementary school and for the 1st year of high school. Enrollment by amparo is aimed at assisting military dependents who suffer the consequences of their parents’ professional obligations due to the peculiarities of their career.
What can’t you do in military schools?
Civic-military and military schools determine the use of a specific uniform for each institution. But each school unit can decide on other rules of dress, accessories or appearance to be imposed on students.
*With information from Agência Brasil
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
