Sao Paulo, Brazil - Tens of thousands of students, teachers and researchers across Brazil took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against government cuts and spending freezes to the education budget.

Brazil's National Student Union called for protests after the Ministry of Education said it was freezing nearly a quarter of discretionary spending due to budget restrictions across public services because of the current financial crisis in the country.

But scholars across Brazil accuse President Jair Bolsonaro of waging an ideological attack against education, and of using budget cuts to pressure congressmen to approve a much-anticipated but controversial pension reform.

"This protest is against what is happening at MEC," said Celso Napolitano, president of the Federation of Teachers of Sao Paulo (FEPESP). "The cuts in federal universities mean a death strike in the scientific production in Brazil."

Protests took place in 27 cities across the country. Online, the hashtag "education tsunami" trended throughout the day.

'My weapon is my education'

In Sao Paulo thousands of protesters occupied the city centre for hours, chanting "Bolsonaro Out", and holding signs reading "my weapon is my education".

Marcus Vinicius, 19, was part of a large group of students from the University of Sao Paulo, one of the leading institutions in the country.

"The minister says we only party, then I want to invite him to come to our school and see what we produce every day," Vinicius told Al Jazeera, referring to the Minister of Education's statement that universities are in "shambles".

Vinicius is studying public management and says his university has already made cuts to research, especially for post-graduates. "The 'party' we do is being here, protesting for education for our country, so that there is more inclusion, and people that really need public universities can have access to it," he added.

Just a few metres away, Letícia Coelho and other teachers looked on the protests and their students. A group dressed in blue protested in defence of the "survival of oceanography" courses, while others wearing black t-shirts rallied for law courses and departments.

"It touches me to see them here but it also makes me really sad that we still have to be fighting for education in 2019," Coelho told Al Jazeera. She is an art history professor at the Federal University of Sao Paulo, and said many of her students come from lower classes and are the first generation of their families attending school.

"That makes it extra hard," she said. "I think these cuts are scandalous and go against a long policy of investment in federal universities."

'Contingencies'

In a congressional hearing about MEC's decision, Education Minister Abraham Weintraub said, "There are no cuts, only contingencies".

He said the "contingencies" were part of a government austerity plan and that all funds could be reinstated "if the economy records any growth". Opposition politicians accused Weintraub and the government of using budget cuts as "blackmail" to move their agenda forward.

In Brazil, the budget for universities is divided into mandatory expenses, such as salaries and pensions, which the government cannot reduce, and "discretionary" expenses, which includes water and electricity bills, housing for foreign students or maintenance work.

The recently announced cuts will slash 30 percent of funds to the discretionary expenses budget. This represents a cut of about $1.8bn, or 3.4 percent of the total annual budget for universities, according to MEC.

"The minister says the cuts only regard water and electricity bills, considered 'non-mandatory', but a university cannot run without water or light," Napolitano said.

"Because those expenses have to be covered, and the council of deans have said this, they will have to end up cutting their financing for scientific research," he added.

Funding for federal universities has been on a steady decline for years. A report by the news channel G1, using government data, revealed that more than 90 percent of all federal universities in Brazil have had their budgets reduced since 2013. The study found the decline in funding reached an average of 28 percent, although student enrolment went up 10 percent.

Investment in education has been a constant debate in Brazil, with pictures of schools with no light, holes in the roofs or cracks on the walls, constantly circulating on social media. For many, the announced budget cuts will deteriorate an already overwhelmed education system.

Bolsonaro and many of his ministers have criticised what they say goes on in public universities, often suggesting students use drugs and party instead of studying.

Earlier this month, during a Facebook Live broadcast, Bolsonaro said the money cut from federal universities will be reinvested in primary education, calling the education system in Brazil "a house with an excellent roof but rotten walls".

As thousands took to the streets across the country, Bolsonaro arrived in Dallas, Texas, for an event.

Talking to reporters at the Dallas airport, Bolsonaro called those protesting "useful idiots and imbeciles" and that most were "militants with nothing in their hands".

The government's plan also includes freezing 3,500 post-graduate scholarships across the country, which represent an investment of $12.5m. A representative of MEC's office for post-graduate studies (CAPES) told Al Jazeera the money "will not be re-invested somewhere else", but that "if the economy recovers, the idea is that all scholarships are reinstated". Until then, no new scholarships will be given. </s> Thousands of students and teachers have protested across Brazil against President Jair Bolsonaro's federal cuts in education spending.

Union leaders called for a strike on Tuesday in the education sector, denouncing funding cuts from elementary schools to higher public education and plans to open federal universities to private investment.

The government said it is implementing the cuts across the board and in an equal way.

In Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, hundreds of protesters took to the streets denouncing the cutbacks.

Demonstrators carried banners reading, "Bolsonaro, enemy of education" and chanting, "Come, come to the street against the cuts."

"Education is the future of our country so I think it is important to come here and protest to send the message to the government that the students are in the street, the teachers are in the street and the workers are in the street," university student Eduardo de Oliveira Santos, 23, said.

Alice Matos de Pina, a doctoral student at Rio de Janeiro's Federal University, said he wants the government of Bolsonaro to know that the budget cut is unpopular.

"I think the strategy and our goal is to make the people and the workers understand that it is in their interests to defend a public university and not a university that meets the needs of the market," he said.

Online news portal G1 registered events in 72 cities on Tuesday, but the turnout did not match the huge crowds that joined in similar protests in May.

The latest cuts of $87m happened in July, targeting school textbooks.

The Ministry of Education had already announced earlier this year a 30 percent cut to university funding and blocked all forthcoming scholarships for master's and doctoral students. </s> Brasilia: Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in 200 cities across Brazil to rally against education spending cuts in the biggest demonstrations yet against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who called marchers "useful idiots and imbeciles."

Brazil's National Student Union called for protests after the Education Ministry said it was freezing nearly a quarter of discretionary spending due to the government's precarious fiscal situation.

Federal education officials this month announced budget cuts of $US1.8 billion ($2.6 billion) for public education, part of a wider government effort to slash spending.

The marches in more than 200 cities, according to a count by the Globo TV network, mark the first national protests against the administration of Bolsonaro, whose poll numbers are falling as he struggles with a weak economy, rising unemployment, an unruly coalition in Congress and infighting within his cabinet. </s> RIO DE JANEIRO - Thousands of students and teachers have protested federal cuts in education spending in gatherings across Brazil.

Union leaders called for a strike Tuesday in the education sector, denouncing funding cuts from elementary schools to higher public education and plans to open federal universities to private investment.

The government says it is implementing the cuts across the board and in an equal way. 

 

 Online news portal G1 registered events in 72 cities Tuesday, but the turnout did not match the huge crowds that joined in similar protests in May.

The latest cuts of 348 million reals (about $87 million) happened in July, targeting school textbooks. 

 

 The education ministry had already announced earlier this year a 30% cut to university funding and blocked all forthcoming scholarships for master's and doctoral students. </s> BRASILIA/SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in cities across Brazil on Wednesday to rally against education spending freezes in the biggest demonstrations yet against President Jair Bolsonaro, who called marchers “useful idiots and imbeciles.”

Brazil’s National Student Union called for protests against what it called spending cuts, after the Education Ministry said it was freezing nearly a quarter of discretionary spending due to the government’s precarious fiscal situation.

The marches in over 200 cities, according to a count by the Globo TV network, mark the first national protests against the administration of the far-right Bolsonaro, whose poll numbers are falling as he struggles with a weak economy, rising unemployment, an unruly coalition in Congress and infighting within his cabinet.

Speaking in Dallas, Texas, where he traveled to attend a gala dinner, Bolsonaro denied his government had cut education budgets and cast the protests as a partisan spectacle.

“They are useful idiots, imbeciles, who are being used as the maneuvering mass of a clever little minority who make up the nucleus of many federal universities in Brazil,” he said.

A peaceful rally of thousands in central Rio de Janeiro turned violent as the protest was ending, with unknown assailants setting a bus ablaze and shooting fireworks at police, who responded with tear gas to break a crowd up. There was no word on any injuries.

In the capital Brasilia some 7,000 students and university professors marched to Congress, carrying signs against the cuts. One said: “Education is not an expense, it is an investment.” Another read: “Without investment there is no knowledge.”

“Our message to Bolsonaro is that society will not accept these cuts of 30 percent,” said marcher Luis Antonio Pasquetti, head of the National University of Brasilia’s teacher union.

There was no official nationwide crowd estimate available, but the protests were likely the largest such gatherings since the 2016 impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff.

“The importance is to show that civil society is organized against these cuts,” said Rodrigo Tonieto, 22, in Sao Paulo. “Together, we are going to say ‘no’ to the Bolsonaro government ... To say ‘no’ to the mess that this government is.”

Called to explain the cuts to lawmakers in Congress, Education Minister Abraham Weintraub blamed the situation on the legacy of the previous government, while defending a shift away from spending on universities to favor elementary schools.

“The priority is preschool, elementary school and technical school,” he said. “A scientific, technical, number-based, efficient and managerial approach is vital to save this country from the economic stagnation of the last 20 years that we are living.” </s> Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in cities across Brazil on Wednesday to rally against education spending freezes in the biggest demonstrations yet against President Jair Bolsonaro, who called marchers "useful idiots and imbeciles."

Brazil's National Student Union called for protests against what it called spending cuts, after the Education Ministry said it was freezing nearly a quarter of discretionary spending due to the government's precarious fiscal situation.

The marches in over 200 cities, according to a count by the Globo TV network, mark the first national protests against the administration of the far-right Bolsonaro, whose poll numbers are falling as he struggles with a weak economy, rising unemployment, an unruly coalition in Congress and infighting within his cabinet.

Speaking in Dallas, Texas, where he traveled to attend a gala dinner, Mr Bolsonaro denied his government had cut education budgets and cast the protests as a partisan spectacle.

"They are useful idiots, imbeciles, who are being used as the maneuvering mass of a clever little minority who make up the nucleus of many federal universities in Brazil," he said. </s> RIO DE JANEIRO - Thousands of students and teachers have protested federal cuts in education spending in gatherings across Brazil.

Union leaders called for a strike Tuesday in the education sector, denouncing funding cuts from elementary schools to higher public education and plans to open federal universities to private investment.

The government says it is implementing the cuts across the board and in an equal way.

Online news portal G1 registered events in 72 cities Tuesday but the turnout did not match the huge crowds that joined in similar protests in May.

The latest cuts of 348 million reals (about $87 million) happened in July, targeting school textbooks.

The education ministry had already announced earlier this year a 30% cut to university funding and blocked all forthcoming scholarships for master’s and doctoral students.

Get more of the Star in your inbox Never miss the latest news from the Star. Sign up for our newsletters to get today's top stories, your favourite columnists and lots more in your inbox Sign Up Now </s> Tens of thousands of students and teachers have protested across Brazil against sharp cuts to education enacted by Jair Bolsonaro’s administration – the first mass protests since the far-right president took office in January.

Brazil’s National Student Union called for demonstrations after the education ministry said it was freezing up to 30% of discretionary spending due to the government’s precarious fiscal situation.

The rally in Rio de Janeiro turned violent when police fired tear gas and percussion grenades and protestors set a bus on fire.

Protestors chanted “education is not a commodity” and “there will be no cuts, there will be fight” and referenced Bolsonaro’s connections to militia groups.

“The government makes mayhem. Public universities make science,” read one sign, referencing a recent interview given by the education minister, Abraham Weintraub, in which he said: “Universities that instead of trying to achieve the best academic form, are just making a mayhem, will have their budgets cut.”

Speaking in Dallas, Texas, where he travelled to attend a gala dinner, Bolsonaro denied his government had cut education budgets and cast the protests as a partisan spectacle. “They are useful idiots, imbeciles, who are being used as the manoeuvring mass of a clever little minority who make up the nucleus of many federal universities in Brazil,” he said.

The cuts to the country’s education system sent shock waves through federally funded universities, generally Brazil’s most prestigious and competitive schools.

University hospitals, research grants and federally funded high schools are also affected by the cuts, which the Ministry of Education said was a part of meeting a spending cap imposed by Bolsonaro.

Called to explain the cuts to lawmakers in Congress, Weintraub blamed the situation on the legacy of the previous government, while defending a shift away from spending on universities to favour elementary schools.

“The priority is preschool, elementary school and technical school,” he said. “A scientific, technical, number-based, efficient and managerial approach is vital to save this country from the economic stagnation of the last 20 years that we are living.”

At the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, students said conditions on campus were already dire. Letícia Ferreira, an art student, said the classroom she studied in flooded when it rained and lost electricity if they turned on a fan.

Another art student at the university, Isadora Grilo, said the cuts were aimed to “alienate everyone, so they don’t have any critical thinking.” The university said 41% of its budget was cut.

Barbara Ottero, 29, who got her bachelors and masters degrees from a federal university that will be affected by the cuts. “They will make education totally inaccessible. It’s practically privatising,” she said.

“My father was unemployed when I went to university, there was no way I could have paid. It’s unjust for students.”

Elizabeth Saar, a retired sociology teacher said universities were being attacked. “If we had difficulties in schools before, now public education is practically over.”

The marches marked the first national protests against the administration of Bolsonaro, whose poll numbers are falling as he struggles with a weak economy, rising unemployment, an unruly coalition in Congress and infighting in his cabinet.

The protest is the latest development in an increasingly heated battle over Brazilian education. Bolsonaro and many of his supporters have declared war over what they call “indoctrination” by left-leaning teachers in schools by instructing students to record and snitch on their teachers. </s> RIO DE JANEIRO: Students and teachers from hundreds of universities and colleges across Brazil began a nationwide demonstration on Wednesday (May 15) in "defence of education" following a raft of budget cuts announced by President Jair Bolsonaro's government.

Classes were suspended in numerous establishments as demonstrations took place in 17 of Brazil's 27 states, local media said, with particularly large ones in major cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Belo Horizonte.

The biggest demonstrations are planned for the end of the day, though.

In the capital Brasilia, federal troops were deployed in front of the ministry of education in case of trouble.

The protest movement was sparked by Education Minister Abraham Weintraub recently slashing federal university subsidies by 30 per cent.

Several chief education officers claimed the budget cuts would compromise the ability of federal universities to function, and threatened to paralyse them.

Then the sudden suspension of the payment of masters and doctorate scholarships in the sciences and human sciences last week threw oil on the fire.

"Secondary school pupils, university students, researchers, teachers and other education employees will take to the streets in every state" to protest against the budget cuts, the National Student Union (UNE) had announced on Tuesday.

Despite the cuts affecting only federal institutions, the protest movement has been joined by many private universities such as Rio's Pontifical University which voted last week to join the nationwide demonstration.
Hundreds of thousands of students, schoolteachers and university professors hold demonstrations across Brazil against sweeping cuts in the education budget. Protestors also voice opposition to the government's plan to delegate the administrative and financial management of federal universities and institutes to a privately-held fund.