The anniversary of the creation of the Ministry of Education (MEC) was celebrated this Sunday (28), in Brasilia, with the participation of 6,000 people in the 95 -year -old MEC Race and Walk. 
Among the participants was President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who highlighted the power of strong educational public policies for a country.
“We are aware that it is through education – from day care to the university, from literacy to an engineering course – that we will make Brazil sovereign, never to guess over Brazil. Long live Brazilian education! Long live the MEC!”
The program – with 3 kilometers (km) for walking and 5 km and 10 km for race – was a moment of integration between educators, servers, managers and the community.
The idea of a walk with walking was from the ministry’s own servants who, from an internal consultation, chose how to celebrate the institution’s anniversary.
President Lula participates in the 95 -year -old MEC Race and Walk, in the Esplanade of the Ministries Brasilia – Ricardo Stuckert/Presidency of the Republic
The server Isleide Barbosa awaited the beginning of the animated race with the festivity that united physical activity, leisure and institutional recognition: “I think it is a very good initiative considering MEC’s 95th birthday,” he said, according to the ministry’s social network publication.
Next to President Lula, The Minister of Education, Camilo Santana, highlighted programs that allowed the advancement of education policies in the country, such as the University for All Program (Prouni), the Unified Selection System (Sisu), the Fund for Higher Education Student (FIES), the Half-School Financial-Educational Incentive Program and the National High School Exam (Enem).
The sport also brought together other authorities such as the Ministers of Finance, Health, Institutional Relations and Mines and Energy, respectively Fernando Haddad, Alexandre Padilha, Gleisi Hoffmann and Alexandre Silveira.
At the end of the routes, the first three places in each category received special medals according to the placement. The other participants also received participation medals.
President Lula dedicated the awards to education professionals across the country.
“Teachers and teachers, school staff who work day and night so we can get out of the illiteracy we found in this country, with almost 68% of the population with poorly completed elementary school,” he said.
Through social networks, the president highlighted the commemorative program and again highlighted the importance of education for Brazilian sovereignty. “
Today was the day of running and walking for the 95th anniversary of MEC. A moment that united sport, health and celebration, reaffirming the commitment to public policies that transform education in Brazil. A true walk for the educational sovereignty of our country! ”
History
Created in 1930, named after the Ministry of Education and Public Health, the agency initially performed the activities of the extinct National Department of Education, linked to the Ministry of Justice, as well as dealing with public policies related to health, sport and environment.
With the strength of educators and intellectuals such as Anísio Teixeira and Fernando de Azevedo and the launch of the Pioneers of New Education Pioneers, a process of education reform began in the country.
The long process began with the right of all to education, as provided for in the 1934 Constitution, and, later, the creation of the First Law of Education Guidelines and Bases (LDB), in 1961, and university reform in 1968.
After almost a century of existence, the National Education Policy has been improved and the agency operates in education in general with policies aimed at early childhood education, elementary school, high school, higher education, youth and adult education, vocational and technological education, special education and distance education.
