Education and interinstitutional relations in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

This paper discusses, from a comparative perspective, the decentralization of education in Brazil and Portugal from the 1990s onwards. Based on relevant literature and on its legal framework, the researchers seek to investigate the interinstitutional relations that mediate this process, under the collaboration regime in Brazil and according to the relations established between central and local power in Portugal. The general conclusion notes that, although both central governments have disseminated the decentralization discourse for some time now, it seems that the level of rhetoric has not been actually overcome. A number of advances and setbacks show that, although there has been some deconcentration of power, it is still marked by the same centralizing logic that is an outcome of both countries’ historical and social heritage (their previous dictatorial regimes) and is currently under the modulation of neoliberal economic policies.

Key words: decentralization of education, municipalization of education, interinstitutional relations, comparative study of education in Brazil and Portugal.