MEC decides to pass on hours of basic subjects for technical education

The Ministry of Education decided to partially respond to requests from education entities and reduce the number of hours allocated to basic subjects in the new high school for students who choose to take a technical course. The final text with the request to change the law will be sent by the MEC for approval by the National Congress in early September.

According to the newspaper Estado de S. Paulo, this Monday (28) the Ministry of Education met, once again, with secretaries of education, teachers and counselors to discuss the new secondary education. At the meeting, one of the subjects discussed was the workload required by technical courses.

In the new high school, students will be required to study some subjects and may opt for others, according to their interests. MEC’s ​​idea is to offer three itineraries for students: 1) languages, mathematics and natural sciences; two) languages, mathematics and human and social sciences or 3) technical and professional training.

Of the 3,000 hours that must be allocated to secondary education, the initial proposal – for students who opt for professional training – was that 2,400 hours be allocated to basic subjects – Portuguese, mathematics, history, geography, among others – and 600 hours to technical education training. However, the time spent in 65% of the technical courses offered in the country is 1,200 hours. Therefore, the MEC made a change so that, in this itinerary, students dedicate 800 hours to technical classes and 2,100 hours to basic subjects.

The other way out would be for schools to offer full-time education instead of just one shift. However, the solution demands more expenses for schools that will need to invest in more structure, costing almost twice the amount per student.