Brazil's Ministry of Education launches innovation poles and special education observatory

The Ministry of Education (MEC) issued Portaria No. 585 authorizing three new innovation poles within the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education. The poles will operate at the Federal Institutes of Pernambuco (IFPE), Mato Grosso (IFMT) and Southeast Minas Gerais (IF Sudeste MG), bringing the network to 730 units and 17 poles. Each pole receives up to R$ 9 million from Embrapii for a four‑year term, focusing on industrial decarbonisation, digital technologies for agribusiness, and animal‑production technologies.

In a separate initiative, MEC published an edital on 3 July inviting higher‑education institutions to join the Observatório da Educação Especial Inclusiva. The call, made in partnership with Secadi and CAPES, seeks partners to produce indicators, support policy formulation, and provide accessible materials for inclusive special education. Proposals can be submitted until 5 October, and the observatory will operate as part of the National Network of Inclusive Special Education (ReneeI).