Ministry of Education (Brazil)


The Ministry of Education, also known as MEC, an initialism derived from its former name Ministry of Education and Culture, is a cabinet-level federal ministry of Brazil.
It is tasked with coordinating national education policy and daily affairs, from early childhood to the post-graduate level.

History of the institution

Before 1930, matters relating to education were under responsibility of the National Department of Education, which was a part of the then-called Ministry of Justice.
In 1930, as Getúlio Vargas took office as president, the Ministry of Education and Public Health was created, taking away education matters from the Ministry of Justice.
In 1953, the ministry was split into two: the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
In 1985, during José Sarney's presidency, it was again split into two: the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Education.
In 1992, as Itamar Franco took office as president, sports were made part of the ministry again, which was subsequently renamed Ministry of Education and Sports.
In 1995, during Fernando Henrique Cardoso's presidency, that was once again changed, separating the Ministry of Education from the then Ministry of Sports.

Minister

On 10 July 2020, Milton Ribeiro was nominated Minister of Education. Ribeiro took office on 16 July 2020, as the fourth Minister of Education in Bolsonaro's presidency.