The Ministry of Education (MEC) published Portaria No 930/2025 on 31 December, establishing the operational rules for the Juros por Educação programme. Created by Decree No 12.433/2025 and embedded in the broader Programme of Full Payment of State Debts (Propag), the measure links reductions in states’ debt interest rates to concrete investments and targets in technical secondary education.
Juros por Educação programme targets technical education expansion
Under the scheme, states and the Federal District that adhere will receive lower annual interest on their debts with the Union and gain access to the Fund for Federative Equalisation. In return they must expand free places in technical courses, invest in school infrastructure and prioritise continuing professional development for educators.
The portaria defines performance targets, acceptable delivery modalities for technical courses and the monitoring and evaluation criteria aligned with the National Education Plan and the National Policy for Professional and Technological Education. Valid enrolments for target assessment will be those recorded in the National System of Information on Professional and Technological Education (Sistec) and the Basic Education Census, with population weighting based on IBGE data.
States may offer technical programmes in several formats, including integrated and concurrent models with secondary education, itinerant pathways and arrangements linked to professional apprenticeship, provided curricula follow the National Curricular Guidelines for Professional and Technological Education. Annual application plans must be submitted to the Secretariat for Professional and Technological Education (Setec), detailing expansion measures, investment schedules and strategies to promote access, retention and successful completion.
Financial rules require that until performance targets are achieved, at least 60% of the annual resources available to states under Propag be directed exclusively to actions related to technical secondary education (EPTNM). Exceptional and justified cases may permit a reduction of this proportion, but resources cannot fall below 30%.
The portaria also creates a Strategic Governance Committee for the Juros por Educação programme. The committee will support, monitor and follow up implementation, propose strategic measures and ensure coordination between the MEC and participating states. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation will follow the guidelines of the National System for Evaluation of Professional and Technological Education (Sinaept), with periodic public reports and performance balances.
The Juros por Educação programme is intended to stimulate states to increase the supply of free technical places, including courses for young people and adults, and subsequent technical training. Beyond expanding slots, the initiative aims to reduce dropout, upgrade school facilities, boost teacher development, and strengthen the connection between education and the labour market across Brazil.
Propag itself permits states and the Federal District to renegotiate debts with the Union, including interest discounts and repayment terms of up to 30 years, with options for extraordinary amortisations and reduced instalment amounts during the first five years. The combination of fiscal relief and mandatory education investment seeks to align short-term financial management with long-term human capital development.
Implementation now depends on state adhesion, the preparation and approval of annual application plans by Setec and strict monitoring of enrolments and outcomes. If managed effectively, the programme could expand vocational pathways and supply a better-qualified workforce to meet local labour-market needs while offering fiscal breathing space to participating state governments.
Key Takeaways:
- Brazil’s Ministry of Education published Portaria No. 930/2025 to regulate the Juros por Educação programme, tying debt relief to investments in technical education and teacher training.
- States that join the scheme receive lower annual interest rates on federal debt and access to the Fund for Federative Equalisation, in exchange for meeting enrolment and performance targets.
- The programme requires most Propag resources to fund secondary-level technical education (EPTNM) until targets are met, with plans and monitoring to be submitted annually to Setec and tracked via Sinaept.
- The initiative aims to expand free technical course places, reduce dropout, improve school infrastructure and strengthen links between education and the labour market.
