São Paulo to spend R$ 103 million outsourcing three municipal elementary schools to NGOs

Mayor Ricardo Nunes announced a call for civil‑society organizations to manage three municipal elementary schools in the Parelheiros, Pedreira and Jaraguá districts, commencing in 2027. The city will allocate nearly R$ 103 million over five‑year contracts, with about 94 % earmarked for school operating costs and up to 6 % for administrative expenses.

The model follows a pilot partnership with the private Liceu Coração de Jesus, which reported higher test scores than the city average. While the municipal education secretariat retains responsibility for enrollment, curriculum, supervision and assessments, the selected NGOs will handle administrative duties and must submit quarterly performance reports and financial statements.

Education experts have voiced caution, arguing that the move hands over core school functions built over years to external entities, though officials say the limited rollout of only three schools allows careful monitoring.