Brazil opens public consultation on new distance education regulations

The Brazilian government has opened a public consultation to establish a new regulatory framework for distance education (EaD) undergraduate courses. The deadline for submitting suggestions via the Brasil Participativo platform is Friday, August 14.

Developed by the Higher Education Chamber of the National Council of Education (CNE), the proposal aims to update regulations in response to digital transformations and new academic monitoring requirements. Key aspects of the draft include the formalization of hybrid (semipresencial) learning, establishing specific criteria for mandatory in-person workloads such as laboratory practices and extension activities, and defining standards for synchronous and asynchronous digital content.

The new framework also seeks to set parameters for the roles of professors and tutors, student support, and the infrastructure requirements for physical support centers (polos). The Ministry of Education intends for these guidelines to ensure that academic standards remain equivalent across different teaching modalities. Contributions will be analyzed between August 15 and 22 to inform the final version of the CNE resolution.