The Ministry of Education (Portuguese: Ministério da Educação), commonly known as MEC, originates from its previous name, the Ministry of Education and Culture (Portuguese: Ministério da Educação e Cultura), is a cabinet-level federal ministry of Brazil. Its responsibilities include coordinating national education policies and managing daily affairs, covering from early childhood education to post-graduate levels.

History of the institution

Before 1930, matters related to education were the responsibility of the National Department of Education, which was part of the Ministry of Justice at the time. In 1930, as Getúlio Vargas took office as president, the Ministry of Education and Public Health was established, taking away education matters from the Ministry of Justice. In 1953, the ministry was split into two: the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education and Culture (, with the acronym MEC, which lasts to this day). In 1985, during José Sarney's presidency, it was again split into two: the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Education. In 1992, as Itamar Franco took office as president, sports were made part of the ministry again, which was subsequently renamed Ministry of Education and Sports. In 1995, during Fernando Henrique Cardoso's presidency, that was once again changed, separating the Ministry of Education from the then Ministry of Sports. The incumbent Education Minister is senator Camilo Santana.

List of ministers