The country’s education is among the worst in the world

Federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) responded to criticism about his lack of experience to preside over the Education Committee of the Chamber of Deputies. In an interview with CNN, the deputy stated that many of those who have worked in the sector for years have failed to improve the quality of education in the country.

“Obviously it will be a challenge to chair a committee, I have never chaired it before, so no one can say anything about my work. What I can analyze is the previous work. Many, in fact, who came to criticize me regarding the lack of experience, cited politicians bragging about having worked for years and years for education in Brazil. I advise them not to do that, as they are bragging about the current education in Brazil, which is among the worst in the world, in 53rd position in Pisa [ranking internacional]which has had funding cuts both for transfers to federal universities and also for basic education.”

Nikolas also said that he will act democratically as a mediator for the Commission, despite “the relative democracy” of the country, citing issues dear to the right, such as the National Education Plan, civic-military schools, literacy in schools and left-wing indoctrination.

Asked about sexual education in schools, the deputy said he was in favor of a biological and non-ideological approach. “I’m against the professor putting himself in the position of a sex educator, against passing biology,” he said. “Sexual education takes place at home with parents. The topic should be covered at school because it is a biology topic. In fact, if people focused more on biological issues, they would have fewer discussions about it.”

Regarding left-wing indoctrination, the deputy defends that everyone has academic freedom, saying that many conservative or right-wing teachers and students are persecuted at universities. “I experienced this firsthand,” he said. “I do not defend a right-wing, left-wing or center-based education. I defend a real education that is interested in the production of knowledge in universities.”