Report suggests conflict of interests between Lemann’s group and MEC

A group linked to billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann can influence decisions within the Ministry of Education (MEC) involving around R$6.6 billion. The influence is the result of an agreement reached between MEC and the NGO MegaEdufinanced by the businessman, so that the organization can give its opinion on public connectivity policies in the country’s schools.

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The information was released by the newspaper Estadão this Monday (25) and precedes the launch of the National Strategy for Connected Schools, scheduled for Tuesday (26). The project also had the participation of MegaEdu.

According to the publication of the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU), the partnership with the MEC was signed on August 14th, lasting 36 months and “does not involve the transfer of resources between the participants”.

However, the report suggests a possible conflict of interest, as MegaEdu would have been brought to the ministry by a collaborator from the Secretariat of Basic Education who, “until last week, was a member of the specialist committee of the Lemann Center, another entity owned by the businessman. ”, informs the text, citing that the employee’s name was removed after Estadão question the MEC about the connection between the two parts of the agreement.

Furthermore, the group’s activities do not only occur in the Ministry of Education, as the NGO also participates in the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (Fust) — where are 40% of the resources that the government expects to invest until 2026. The fund belongs to the Ministry of Communications. A MegaEdu CEO was invited to be one of the 13 members of the committee that foresees up to R$2.7 billion for connectivity projects in public schools, favelas and rural areas.

Estadão also reports that MegaEdu also would be called upon to give an opinion on the use of other R$3.1 billion of private money that telephone operators were forced to invest to win 5G auction bands.

To the São Paulo newspaper, MegaEdu responded that there is no conflict of interest, and the Lemann Foundation stated that the NGO has recognition and legitimacy to work with the federal government. The MEC was also contacted by the newspaper, but did not comment on the connection with the businessman. Gazeta do Povo contacted those involved and is awaiting feedback.

The Lemann group’s space within the MEC increased after criticism from Lula

MegaEdu was formally opened in October 2022 and is directly linked to the Lemann Foundation – the Brazilian billionaire’s organization. Even the telephone number registered by MegaEdu with the Federal Revenue Service is the same as that of the foundation, according to the Estadão report.

In February, President Lula harshly criticized Lemann when commenting on the Americanas case, which went into judicial recovery after an accounting scandal came to light in January this year. The businessman is one of the company’s main shareholders.

“This Lemann was sold as the epitome of a successful businessman. He was the guy who financed young people to study at Harvard to form a new government. He spoke against corruption every day. And then he commits fraud that could reach R$40 billion”, said the PT member in an interview with TV network. “What happened with Eike Batista will happen. People sell an idea that they are not, in fact”, he continued, referring to the case of Americanas.

What draws attention, according to the newspaper, is that since Lula’s criticism of Jorge Paulo Lemann, MegaEdu has only increased its space in the federal government machine. In January, the NGO was received at the MEC. In the following months, he met several times with representatives from the Department of Basic Education.

In May, MegaEdu achieved a seat on the disputed Fust management council, which establishes “the proposal selection criteria” that will receive resources operated by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). In August, he signed a “cooperation agreement” with the Ministry of Education.

Also according to the Estadão report, one of MegaEdu’s studies has been used by the government so far for a proposal to increase the number of schools served with internet connection between 2023 and 2024, the election year.

To Estadão, MegaEdu said that the organization is non-profit and its “sole focus is social”. The association also informed that it works based on data, “without commercial interest”, and that it is carrying out studies that support the discussion about which criteria and parameters of school connectivity allow the pedagogical use of the internet.

“In relation to the FUST Management Board, MegaEdu was appointed by 17 organizations, which are part of a broad coalition of civil society, to represent them in 1 of 3 seats reserved for civil society”, he registered.

The Lemann Foundation reported that it has been working for more than two decades “on topics that it considers to be priorities for the country’s development, such as improving public education”. The entity defended the NGO’s actions, noting that MegaEdu “does relevant work” in the sector and that this recognition legitimizes it “to collaborate and establish partnerships with various institutions, including the federal government and its ministries involved in guaranteeing the right to learning and connectivity”, concluded the Foundation.