Brazilian academics express concern over university cuts
Brazilian academics have voiced concerns about the cuts instituted by Jair Bolsonaro’s government.
Times Higher Education reported that Brazil’s public universities are struggling due to staff cuts, limitations on their ability to enact research, and restrictions on student resources.
Frederico Dourado Morais, a Pedagogy professor at the State University of Goiás, stated: “The university day has already been affected […] Activities at universities may be halted before the end of the semester.”
In April this year, President Bolsonaro proposed the withdrawal of public funding for Philosophy and Sociology, in favour of subjects that “generate immediate return to the taxpayer”. He has also halved the budget of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication.
Education Minister Abraham Weintraub said that the government would cut funding to institutions which promote campus unrest, by allowing “political events” or “partisan rallies” while slipping in their academic performance.
Three universities were told that they would have their annual budgets reduced by 30%, effective immediately. This cut was later announced as applying to all 63 federal institutions.
“The university day has already been affected […] Activities at universities may be halted before the end of the semester.”
In response, an open letter condemning the proposal gained more than 1,500 signatures in 24 hours. Moreover, the cuts were opposed by students and academics in nationwide protests in May, when it was also announced that funding for postgraduate scholarships would be frozen.
In July, the Future-se policy was announced, which the government claims would offer greater autonomy for federal institutions through an increase in their resources and a boost in entrepreneurship.
However, the policy was criticised for promoting the privatisation of education and outsourcing of management, with most universities rejecting the programme.
Marcelo Knobel, rector of the State University of Campinas, stated that he wants politicians “to understand the role of the university, what our research does for society”.
President Bolsonaro has stated that his policies are “vital to save this country from the economic stagnation of the last 20 years”, and said that his government will tackle “indoctrination” of students by left-leaning teachers.
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