The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) published Portaria No. 930/2025 on 31 December, formalising the rules for the Interest for Education programme. Established by Decree No. 12.433/2025 and part of the broader Propag debt-restructuring framework, the measure links reductions in states’ interest rates on federal debt to concrete investments in technical secondary education.
Interest for Education programme targets and mechanics
The programme aims to expand free places in technical courses, improve school infrastructure and promote ongoing professional development for teachers. In return, participating states and the Federal District will receive lower annual interest rates on their debts owed to the Union and gain access to the Federal Equalisation Fund.
MEC has set out clear performance targets, aligned with the National Education Plan (PNE) and the National Policy for Professional and Technological Education (PNEPT). Performance will be measured using enrolment figures from the Basic Education Census and adjusted for population using IBGE data. Only enrolments recorded in the National System of Vocational and Technological Education Information (Sistec) will count towards fulfilment of targets.
Reporting, funding and enforcement
States must submit annual application plans to the MEC’s Secretariat for Professional and Technological Education (Setec). Plans should detail how they will expand course provision, the investments they intend to make and strategies to support student access, retention and success. The portaria also prescribes monitoring and evaluation criteria consistent with the National System for Assessment of Professional and Technological Education (Sinaept).
Financially, the regulation requires that at least 60% of Propag resources available to a state be channelled into secondary vocational technical education (EPTNM) until performance targets are met. In exceptional, justified circumstances this share may be reduced, but it cannot fall below 30%.
Governance and oversight
The regulation establishes a Strategic Governance Committee for the Interest for Education programme to support, monitor and accompany the execution of actions. The committee will propose guidelines and strategies for implementation while MEC and the states will carry out continuous monitoring and publish regular balance sheets and result reports.
The Interest for Education initiative forms part of the Programme for Full Payment of State Debts (Propag), created by Complementary Law No. 212/2025. Propag allows states and the Federal District to renegotiate debts with the Union, offering interest discounts and repayment terms of up to 30 years, together with options for extraordinary amortisations and reduced instalments during the first five years.
By tying fiscal relief to investments in technical education, the government seeks to increase vocational training opportunities, reduce school dropout rates and strengthen links between education and the labour market. The regulation provides a framework for states to plan and report investments, while ensuring that a substantial portion of debt-relief resources is used directly to expand and improve technical secondary education.
Source: Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC), Setec
Key Takeaways:
- The Interest for Education programme ties reductions in state debt interest to expanded free technical course places and school improvements.
- States that join will register technical course enrolments in Sistec and report annual plans to Setec to access debt relief and the Equalisation Fund.
- At least 60% of Propag resources must go to secondary vocational technical education until targets are met, with a 30% floor in exceptional cases.
- The MEC will monitor progress through Sinaept and publish periodic reports while a governance committee will oversee implementation.
