Brazil Ministry of Education opens consultation on new distance learning rules

The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) is conducting a public consultation regarding a new regulatory framework for distance education (EaD) undergraduate courses. The consultation period remains open until Friday, August 14.

Developed by the Higher Education Chamber of the National Council of Education (CES/CNE), the proposal aims to modernize educational standards in response to digital transformations. Key areas of the new guidelines include the regulation of hybrid (semipresencial) learning, establishing mandatory in-person workload percentages for activities such as laboratory practices and extensions.

Additional focus areas include criteria for pedagogical mediation, teacher and tutor roles, student support, and the structural requirements for physical support centers. The initiative seeks to ensure that academic standards remain equivalent across all teaching modalities. Interested parties, including students, professors, and researchers, can submit contributions via the Brasil Participativo platform using a Gov.br account. Following the deadline, the MEC will systematize the proposals between August 15 and August 22 to finalize the resolution.