June 14, 2022

10:06

Ana Nascimento – Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The federal government reduced by more than R$ 2.17 million transfers to the Government of Amazonas, from the National School Meals Program (PNAE), in the first half of this year. In 2021, the average for the period was R$ 20.38 million. This year, went to R$ 18.20 million, a decrease of 10.66%, according to data from the National Fund for Education Development (FNDE).

In all of last year, FNDE made available to the State Government, R$ 40.76 million, through PNAE. The transfers are made to the State Department of Education (Seduc). There were, on average, six transfers each month to help maintain the school meals provided in the state education network, which, today, has about 440,000 students.

PNAE includes educational institutions classified as day-care centers, full-time schools, pre-schools, EJA (Youth and Adult Education), indigenous education, high schools, AEE (Specialized Educational Assistance), and elementary schools.

In addition to the drop in transfers to the State, the educational institutions of the Manaus City Hall also recorded a reduction in transfers via FNDE. In 2021, were applied in school meals R$ 22.62 million, or R$ 11.31 million per semester. This year, the amount recorded for the first semester was R$ 6.74 million, a reduction of 40.34%, or less R$ 4.56 million to be applied in the acquisition of school meals to municipal schools.

How the program works

PNAE offers school meals and food and nutritional education to students in all stages of public basic education. The federal government transfers to states, municipalities and federal schools supplementary financial amounts in 10 monthly installments (from February to November) to cover 200 school days, according to the number of enrolled students in each school network.

Currently, the amount transferred by the Union to states and municipalities per school day for each student is defined according to the stage and type of education, ranging from R$ 1.07 for kindergartens to R$ 2 for full-time high schools.

The transfer is made directly to the states and municipalities, based on the School Census of the year prior to the year of service. The program is monitored and inspected directly by the society, through the School Feeding Councils (CAE), FNDE, the Federal Audit Court (TCU), the Federal Comptroller General (CGU) and the Public Ministry.

With the Law 11947, of 16/6/2009, 30% of the amount transferred by PNAE must be invested in the direct purchase of family farming products, a measure that stimulates the economic and sustainable development of the communities.