Flávio Bolsonaro Proposes Education Plan Featuring Phonic Method and Student Tutoring Payments

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) has developed an education plan titled Plano para o Brasil Vencer o Atraso. The proposal includes the adoption of the phonic method for literacy, which mirrors the approach used by the government of his father, Jair Bolsonaro. A key new feature of the plan is the Programa Acolher, which proposes paying high performing students to provide tutoring to their peers through digital or in person means.

Other components of the plan include literacy by the correct age, the distribution of resources based on goals, continuous teacher training, school vouchers, and the expansion of technical education. The plan also suggests changes to the Fundo de Financiamento Estudantil (Fies). Regarding childcare, the senator proposes educational vouchers for families when public network vacancies are unavailable, a proposal previously introduced by Jair Bolsonaro under Auxílio Brasil that was not implemented.

Flávio Bolsonaro's team describes the phonic method as a modernization aligned with international evidence. However, Olavo Nogueira Filho, executive director of Todos Pela Educação, expressed concern that the plan reduces a complex national challenge to a debate over literacy methods and ignores current successful agendas, such as the cooperation model used in Ceará. He also stated that the plan shows a limited understanding of the role of the Ministry of Education and current Brazilian educational challenges.

Both reports note that Flávio Bolsonaro appears to be adopting a more moderate tone than his father. While Jair Bolsonaro's 2018 plan focused heavily on opposing ideological indoctrination and sexualization in schools, Flávio's current plan does not highlight ideology among its primary points.