MEC studies allowing EAD graduation in dentistry and three other courses

The intention of the Ministry of Education (MEC) to authorize that degrees in Law, Nursing, Dentistry and Psychology can be studied at a distance (EAD) has placed the representative councils of classes – which are against the measure – and subjects and institutions on the sides of on the contrary, private educational institutions, favorable for change. A public consultation will be opened by the MEC to discuss this topic.

Data from the Anísio Teixeira National Institute of Educational Studies and Research (Inep) show that, in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, the number of entries in distance courses exceeded the number of entries in face-to-face courses for the first time in Brazilian colleges – and data from the Higher Education Census, published last week, show an increase in this distance, which also worries the MEC. According to Helena Sampaio, Secretary of Higher Education Regulation and Supervision at the MEC, “there is a phenomenon of migration from face-to-face courses to distance learning courses”.

understand

The provision of distance learning courses depends on the MEC. There are dozens of degrees that can be obtained EAD, mainly bachelor’s degrees, diplomas and technology courses. Now, the ministry is considering authorizing the inclusion of degrees in Law, Nursing, Psychology and Dentistry. The measure, however, has been opposed by the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) and the Federal Councils of Nursing (Cofen), Psychology (CFP) and Dentistry (CFO). All four of them signed a joint note opposing the measure and also took an individual stand, criticizing the intent. “ZAB has reiterated to the MEC its concern about the large number of Law courses of poor quality and, in this context, stands against the release of distance learning courses, which do not meet the needs for good training of students “. says Beto Simonetti, president of OAB Nacional.

Cofen claims to be “vehemently against” EAD. “The Cofen System/Regional Nursing Councils understand that the profession requires theoretical-practical and relational skills that cannot be developed without direct and intensive contact with patients and healthcare equipment.”

And even the MEC’s ​​requirement that a part of the course be done in person is not enough. “We have fought on many fronts, believing that well-trained nurses will add value to our profession. Cofen denounced the conditions of personal support centers for courses in Operation EAD,” the text added.

In 2015, Cofen sent 118 inspectors to 315 in-person support centers for EAD Nursing courses spread across the country. The final report noted that the situation was “terrible” and reported that many had no laboratories, libraries or minimal support conditions. Furthermore, the fact that some of the centers were located in small towns hindered the provision of supervised practices.

The Federal Council of Psychology, on the other hand, advocates that all courses in the field of Health be conducted in person. The body sent an opinion to the Senate Committee on Human Rights and Participatory Legislation (CDH) requesting the termination of authorization for distance learning courses. In the material sent, it is warned that “distance learning in Health courses represents a serious setback, with uncertain quality of training and therefore the assistance offered to the population”.

And the CFO, which represents dentists, is also against it. “It should not be excluded that Dentistry courses use technological solutions in the teaching-teaching process, however the profile of the professional would require the development of manual skills and the practical mastery of the techniques that would be present, in the presented perspective. , difficult to dispose of in the distance learning mode”, assesses the council.

Faculties

Most entities representing higher education institutions defend any new authorization. In their assessment, EAD “democratizes” teaching and allows courses to be offered to students from all over, including distant cities – in line with what was said last week about the advancement of EAD at all levels. “The National Association of Private Universities (ANUP) understands that distance education (EAD) is an important instrument for the democratization and appropriation of education, but that it must be done with quality. Many Brazilians see EAD as the only alternative for his professionalization,” Anup considers.

“Furthermore, it is worth noting that education mediated by new technologies is the present and the future. The public consultation announced by the Ministry of Education (MEC) is a good opportunity to understand what are the points for improvement in the regulation of this type. of education, to ensure that its purpose continues to be fulfilled”, says the subject.

The Brazilian Association of Supporters of Higher Education (ABMES), the main representative of private higher education in the country, is also in favor of expanding the offer. “Distance education can increase young people’s access to degrees considered traditional, which are often limited only to large centers. We defend this modality, always focusing on the quality of student training”, says CEO, Celso Niskier .

For Semesp, which represents higher education providers in Brazil, the opposite position of the councils was already expected. The subject advocates the public consultation of the MEC and the expansion of the provision of distance learning courses, as long as it is carried out with quality. “There are errors in the interpretation of the legislation in the provision of distance learning, such as the Nursing Council that expressed its concern about the provision of the course entirely at a distance, when Decree 9057, of 2007, already determines that practical activities and assessments must life personally”, says José Roberto Covac, legal director of Semesp. “There is no offer of courses in the field of Health that are entirely distance learning”.

The Brazilian Association of Community Institutions of Higher Education (Abruc) was reserved. “There are two concerns about the growth of distance learning courses: the first is aimed at students, of course, and the second is at universities. For students, although access to higher education has expanded, there is a consensus about the lack of quality of these courses, which is reflected in the inability of the MEC to monitor them. There are higher education institutions that can open more more than 300 distance learning centers without accountability to anyone. When it comes to universities of excellence, there is a great concern that not only because I teach distance is not the rule, but rather the exception in all other countries (e unthinkable even in the USA, which also has a continental distance like Brazil), but it has created a war between institutions, not presenting excellence in education. but only because of the price”, says Dyogo Patriota, Abruc’s legal advisor. “What will the MEC choose? To train many people very poorly or to create access policies to quality higher education?”