Brazil Mixed Budget Commission discusses nursery and preschool funding

The Mixed Budget Commission in Brazil has received various proposals aimed at improving the financing of nurseries and preschools. During discussions, experts and public managers highlighted significant gaps in early childhood education, noting that only four out of ten children in Brazil currently have access to nurseries.

Participants recognized advancements made through Constitutional Amendment 108 and the regulation of the new Fund for the Maintenance and Development of Basic Education and Valorization of Education Professionals (FUNDEB). A key development is the incorporation of the 'Student Quality Cost' (CAQ), which estimates the necessary investment per student.

However, concerns remain regarding fiscal restrictions. Adriana Silveira, president of the National Association for Research on Education Financing, argued that current public debt limits may prevent the CAQ from being fully secured in all contexts, suggesting that educational resources should be exempt from the sustainable fiscal framework.

Additionally, Paulo Malheiros Junior, an auditor for the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), noted that while the Union's responsibility for FUNDEB complementation has increased significantly—from R$ 23.5 billion in 2021 to R$ 69.2 billion this year—transparency issues persist. Challenges include mayors creating separate funds, mixing education money with municipal accounts, and low traceability of resources.