MG Education faces scrutiny as Racial Quotas Enforced by Public Defender's Office in Competition.
In Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Public Defender's Office (DPMG) has taken a significant step towards promoting racial equality and affirmative action policies. On March 7, 2025, the DPMG filed a Public Civil Action (ACP) with a request for urgent provisional relief, aiming at the suspension of the ongoing public education contest and the republication of the edict with affirmative actions targeted at ethnic minorities.
The lawsuit, based on State Law No. 25,150/2025 and the guarantees provided by the Federal Constitution, highlights the state's legal obligation to adopt affirmative policies as determined by state legislation. However, the current edict only reserves 10% of the vacancies for people with disabilities, and does not foresee the reservation of vacancies for ethnic minorities.
The Defender's Office represents Maria Cecília Almeida in the lawsuit, and the case is currently under review. The lawsuit does not mention any new facts about the education contest or the edict, but it does emphasise Brazil's commitment to combating racism and promoting ethnic-racial diversity, as a signatory to the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Related Forms of Intolerance (CIRDRI).
The CIRDRI holds the status of a constitutional amendment in the Brazilian legal system, reinforcing the obligation of public policies such as racial quotas. The lawsuit aims to ensure the implementation of racial quotas in the public contest for education positions in Minas Gerais.
The contest offers 13,795 vacancies throughout the state, and registrations are scheduled to take place between July 21 and August 21. If the lawsuit results in the suspension of the contest and the republication of the edict, it could pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse educational system in Minas Gerais.
EDUCAFRO, an association that acts for social inclusion through education, has also shown support for the DPMG's efforts, sending an official letter requesting provisions. The new version of the edict, if approved, is expected to be widely publicized, with emphasis on the SEE website, and proposes a daily fine in case of non-compliance.
As the legal challenge progresses, the public awaits updates on this important step towards promoting racial equality and social inclusion in Minas Gerais' education system. For detailed and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult official Minas Gerais government or judiciary websites, or direct press releases from the Public Defender's Office of Minas Gerais.
- The Public Defender's Office (DPMG) in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is advocating for policy and legislation that promotes education-and-self-development, considering the state's obligation to adopt affirmative policies as determined by state legislation.
- The ongoing lawsuit against the state, based on the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Related Forms of Intolerance (CIRDRI), emphasizes the importance of online-education, learning, and general-news in ensuring racial quotas are implemented in public contests for education positions.
- As the lawsuit progresses, various organizations such as EDUCAFRO are supporting the DPMG's efforts, aiming for a more inclusive and diverse education system, as seen in the proposed new version of the edict that emphasizes policy-and-legislation and social inclusion through education.
