24 candidates from Goiás sign a letter on education and science

In Edward Madureira’s view, the current government has put education in the background (Photo: Agência Senado)

Twenty-four candidates from Goiás signed the national manifesto “Education and Science to Rebuild the Country” (see full text at the end), which aims to elect a judiciary committed to defending issues related to the region.

The statement comes in the context of an “unprecedented setback in ST&I policies.” [Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação] in the country.” The document highlights that “the dismantling of public institutions, in the direction of a minimal state, is a sign of a government deepening the neoliberal agenda and an unrealistic fiscal adjustment.”

“We are going in the opposite direction of developed countries, overcoming the worst expectations, we are going in the direction of obscurantism, with a government that denies science in each of its actions and retreats in the composition of the population,” he adds.

Ex-President of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) and candidate for Federal Deputy, Eduard Madureira (PT) explains to Goias . notes That the idea arose from discussions with Jerônimo Rodrigues (PSB), the former President of the Federal Institute of Goiano (IFG) and candidate for a vacancy in the Legislative Assembly.

“We started the discussion and were adding together, the first presidents of the federal universities and institutes, then we listened to the opinion of the leaders of national education and science. We lived a series of lives with former ministers, presidents of scientific societies and great researchers. In the end, we decided to write a statement,” says Edward.

“A lot of people became interested in signing. So, we adopted the strategy that, to sign, you have to be a candidate. Other people helped write, but we wanted the candidates to stick with their education and science agendas,” he continues.

According to the former UFG rector, there is no set criterion for deciding who can or cannot sign. “We received an application, with general information about the candidate, and evaluated the profile and commitment to the cause. About 90% are professors or scholars. In Goiás there are relatively more people because the movement was born here.”

Edward clarifies that the statement is nonpartisan. Although left-wing parties dominate, there are politicians associated with parties located elsewhere on the ideological spectrum, such as the Social Democratic Party and the Republicans.

A federal deputy candidate avoids stipulating a goal regarding the number of politicians the movement, which includes some candidates for majority office, intends to elect. “It’s very difficult to do,” he says. “We have two goals. Form the federal bench as well as the state bench. I really consider it a victory just to sow this seed, discuss the matter in the press and expand the six MPs committed to the cause.”

According to Edward, the current government had put education behind, as ministers lacked commitment. He concludes, “We’ve reached a point where the threats are so great, for example with brains abroad being lost due to unattractive exchanges, that we need to leave the place and put our history and what we believe in into the discussion.”

agenda

• University autonomy
• repeal the 95th constitutional amendment;
• Integrated restructuring of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT)
  the recovery of the social fund before the salt devoted to education, science, technology and innovation;
• Return of national conferences on education, science, technology and innovation;
• Defense and Rescue the National Education Plan (PNE), in light of the deliberations of the 2010 and 2014 CONAEs, and the People’s National Conference on Education (CONAPE 2018), with the flexibility of the LRF;
• Appreciating education professionals and, in a special way, ensuring professional plans and attractive and fair remuneration for professionals in basic education;
• Strengthening and expanding the offer of integrated technical vocational education in secondary school and strengthening the Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology;
• Caring for and supporting universities and research centers by promoting collaborative projects in scientific networks and infrastructures;
• Institutional Recovery and Enhancement of Capes, CNPq, and Finep;
• Resuming and strengthening the national system of science, technology and innovation on the basis of state policies and national priorities of public interest;
• Allocate funds from the Fund for Universalization of Communications Services (FUST) for the public platform and high-speed Internet with free access to education professionals and students;
• Recognition, appreciation, expression and expansion of the network of educational, science and technology institutions in the country: universities, federal institutes, state and municipal universities, federal and state research institutes, etc. so that they contribute to the harmonious development of the country and to the reduction of regional disparities.

Goianos who signed

• Alessandra Menadakis (PSOL)
• Antonio Gumede (PT)
• Archidonis Bates
• Lima Pia (PT)
• Danny Cruz and Collectiveo (PDT)
• Edward Madureira (PT)
• Fabio Jr. (PT)
• Fabricio Rosa (PT)
• Jeronimo Rodriguez (PSB)
• Julio Anderson Bueno (PT)
• Katya Maria (PT)
• Christina Kelly (pt)
• Luis Cesar Bueno (PT)
• Manuel Barbosa (Republicans)
• Manu Jacob (PSOL)
• Marina Santana (PT)
• Marta Quintiliano (PT)
• Mauro Rubim (PT)
• Professor Flaviano (PSB)
• Railton Nascimento (PCdoB)
• Robbins Otuni (PT)
• Valdir do MST (PT)
• Wesley Costa (PSB)
• Walmer Amado (PT)