[Política Brasileira] – A PEC 241 e as ocupações

Olá! Como foi a semana de vocês?

Hello! How was your week?

You’re probably aware that, a few meses (months) ago, former president Dilma underwent an impeachment process and was replaced by current president Michel Temer.

(As we’ve discussed in this post: https://blogs.transparent.com/portuguese/brazilian-politics-the-impeachment/)

Brazil’s new president is facing low popularity ratings after his government proposed controversial reforms. As a resultado (result), student’s movements are currently holding massive occupations in high-schools and university campus nationwide.

Palavras-chave/Key words: governo (government), política (politics), presidente (president), ocupações (occupations), escolas (schools), estudantes (students)

President Temer by Romério Cunha

O que está acontecendo? – What’s going on?

The numbers are impressive: as of today, over mil (a thousand) have been taken over, even major universities such as USP and UFMG.

By expressing their growing dissatisfaction with the federal government, the student’s movement is playing a crucial role in active citizenship. Their act of political resistance is agora (now) widespread throughout the nation, actively engaged in protesting against the hugely contested measures and reforms that will profoundly alter the school system and living conditions in Brazil.

Protesters have organized to currently reside in the schools under occupation, where they bathe, have meals, do the cleaning. Ocuppations forced the suspension of regular activities such as aulas (classes) and serviços (services). Instead, workshops, lectures and discussions are being held there. Although counting with the apoio (support) of the community, the places are entirely run by the students themselves.

Demonstration Against PEC 241
Photo by Anselmo Cunha

Sobre o que é? – What’s it all about?

Protesters are mainly responding to two government decrees: the MP 746 and the PEC 241 – Proposta de Emenda Constitucional (Proposal to Amend the Constitution).

The MP 746 introduces extreme mudanças (changes) in the high-school system. For example, subjects at secondary level, such as Arts, Physical Education, Sociology and Philosophy will be removed from the curriculum as mandatory, becoming optional. Another previous demand that becomes optional is a teaching license, a measure that de-professionalizes the field and requires only that teachers prove a ‘notorious knowledge’ in the subject.

These policies were passed with with no debate or discussion to include and consult popular opinion, producing a sense of revolt among the population, particularly professores (teachers) and students who are most afetados (affected) by the reform.

The PEC 241 restricts the expenditure of the federal government for vinte (twenty) years, that is, até (until) 2037. This means a constitutional change that will lead  to an end of public subsides, freezing the investments in educação (education) and saúde (healthcare). Therefore, haverão (there will be) drastic cuts in the budget allocated to education, welfare and social programs por duas décadas (for two decades).

Alguns (some) defend  these austerity measures presented by the president, claming that they are a única maneira (the only way) to rescue the country from its deep crisis and economic recession by reducing national debt and bringing stability to the country’s financial situation. Others, in turn, argue that these plans are too severe and will inevitably result in a significant decline in the qualidade (quality) of services and well being.

The current political situation is chaotic and uncertain. But let’s keep hoping and keep on struggling.

Tenham uma boa semana! Have a good week!