Santa Catarina launches Gente Especial program for special education

The government of Santa Catarina has consolidated its partnership with specialized institutions through the Gente Especial program. Launched by Governor Jorginho Mello, the initiative reorganizes state transfers to support special education and social inclusion.

The program provides long-term stability via five-year partnership agreements, aiming to reduce bureaucracy for the 244 institutions serving nearly 32,000 students. The initiative covers individuals ranging from infants to the elderly.

Financially, the program projects R$ 1.6 billion in funding over five years. Annual transfers are set to increase from R$ 243.4 million in 2023 to R$ 339.5 million in 2025, with a further projection of R$ 376.3 million in 2026. Current monthly transfers are calculated at approximately R$ 1,063.99 per student for specialized educational services.