Supreme Federal Court secures teacher salary floor in Brazil

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) has issued a ruling regarding the national minimum salary floor for teachers in the public education system. The decision, published under Theme 1308, establishes that the salary floor must be respected for all active teachers in public networks, regardless of whether they hold permanent positions, temporary contracts, or are outsourced.

Key pillars of the ruling include the protection of education-linked revenues, such as FUNDEB, to ensure professional valuation. Additionally, until specific legislation is enacted, public education networks are prohibited from transferring more than 5% of their permanent teaching staff to other administrative bodies or powers. This measure aims to preserve educational financing and prevent the misuse of teaching positions.

The court's decision is intended to encourage better personnel management by curbing practices that bypass public competitive examinations, which the STF identified as harmful to constitutional principles and educational funding.