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Strategic Decision Of The Ministry Of Education About Distance Learning Courses Seeks To Preserve Teaching Quality And Impacts Thousands Of Students
The Ministry of Education (MEC) officially announced this week one of the most awaited and discussed measures in recent years: the prohibition of 100% distance learning courses in the areas of Engineering and Health.
During the plenary session of the Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea), on April 25, 2025, the Director of Higher Education Regulation, Daniel Ximenes, confirmed that the decree will be published by May 9.
According to Ximenes, areas such as Engineering, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Speech Therapy, Biomedicine, Nutrition, Physical Education, and Nursing require a strong on-site workload to ensure the technical competence of future professionals.
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The move follows the same line as what already occurs with the Medicine degree, which prohibits the distance learning modality.
The president of Confea, Vinicius Marchese, celebrated the decision as “historic” for the defense of quality education.
The Confea/Crea system had been warning for years about the risks of the proliferation of fully distance courses in areas that require practical experience.
Distance Education Sector Will Be Structured
Another highlight is that MEC will also implement stricter rules for the existence of on-site support centers for distance learning courses.
Currently, there are about 50,000 centers in the country.
However, the forecast indicates that at least half of them will not meet the new structural requirements and will be closed.
The objective is clear: to preserve academic quality and curb the irresponsible massification of higher education, which jeopardized the reputation of various courses and put the job market at risk.
Private higher education institutions will have a transition period to adapt to the new guidelines.
However, those that fail to meet the new standards will be discredited.
Change Expands The Prestige Of Presential Education
This decision also marks a repositioning of the value of presential education in Brazil.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the expansion of remote education in various areas.
However, it also exposed serious deficiencies in courses where practical contact is indispensable.
Therefore, MEC reinforces that it does not oppose distance education in itself, which remains a viable alternative for various fields.
However, it argues that its application in sensitive sectors should occur with responsibility and clear limits.
A New Scenario For Students And Institutions
With the new regulation, students intending to enter the fields of Engineering and Health must pay attention.
The requirement for physical presence will be mandatory in a large part of the course, leaving distance education with only a supplementary role.
The institutions, in turn, will be compelled to invest in infrastructure, laboratories, libraries, and qualified teachers to offer excellent presential education.
Timeline
- April 25, 2025: MEC publicly announces the change during the Confea plenary session.
- May 9, 2025: Estimated deadline for the official publication of the decree with the new rules.
- From the publication: Start of the transition period and inspection of distance learning centers.
Amidst so many changes, Brazil makes clear its pursuit of a future where the education of engineers, physiotherapists, nurses, and other essential professionals is based on practice, ethics, and quality.
Sources: Confea, Estadão, Valor Econômico.
Crea só atrapalha, não faz nada pela categoria, só aparece qdo cai um prédio ou caso de repercussão na mídia, agora vem atrapalhar as pessoas que estudam na modalidade EAD, se estão tão preocupados com qualidade da educação de engenharia, que tal fiscalizar as escolas privadas que não exigem nada dos alunos….
Boa noite 🌃, amigos leitores, acredito que é uma forma de aprendizado dinâmico o ensino EAD, sabemos que a preparação e conhecimento adquirido se conclui quando realmente começa a realizar o estágio, em laboratório também consegue aprender um pouco, os estudos EAD são apostilas com conhecimento de qualidade onde o tempo de estudos são ampliados, aulas online esse é um mega benefício aos alunos, mas os laboratórios também são muito importantes para deixar tal conhecimento adquirido nas apostas e nos vídeos que devem ser revisados e vistos várias vezes em casa, acredito que o ensino EAD é muito mais flexível e traz inúmeras oportunidades que em sala de aula muitas das vezes são perdidas pelo cansasso de deslocamento, que seja feito o melhor aos nosso alunos!
E como fica os estudantes de engenharia da univesp?