Between law and reality: the teaching salary floor and the challenges of goal 17 of the national education plan.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the National Minimum Wage for teachers, as well as the progress and challenges of wage parity as outlined in Goal 17 of the National Education Plan (PNE). To this end, the methodology employed was a bibliographic research, which sought to understand the functioning of the National Minimum Wage Law for public basic education and the results of Goal 17 of the PNE (2014–2024). This goal established the professional appreciation of teachers by equating their average income to that of other professionals with equivalent education levels. Based on the results, the study concluded that the wage parity between teachers and other professionals with higher education, as established in Goal 17 of the PNE, was not achieved as expected. Furthermore, it evidenced the persistence of regional disparities and structural difficulties in complying with the national minimum wage in several regions of Brazil. Thus, although there are legal advances in the appreciation of the teaching profession, challenges related to financing and regional and global inequalities still persist. Consequently, structural policies committed to their full implementation are necessary to ensure an attractive career and improved quality for public education professionals in Brazil.