Paper short abstract:

There is no tradition of teaching Anthropology in Brazilian Schools. This paper aims to discuss some possibilities opened since the 1988's Constitution and former educational laws to teach in schools some anthropological subjects as: gender, cultural diversity, racism and racial relations.

Paper long abstract:

Although Geography is currently teached in Brazilian Schools during the 12 years from Elementary to High School, there is no tradition of teaching Anthropology in the country. Neither it is usual to have job posts to Anthropologists in Schools. This paper aims to discuss some possibilities opened since the 1988's Constitution and the former 1996's General Law of Education to teach in schools some anthropological subjects as: gender, cultural diversity, racism and racial relations. These topics are included in the major goals of Public Education: promote racial and gender equality, promote the recognition and appreciation of the cultural diversity, promote the respect of religious diversity. Focusing on some experiences based on the Law 11.645/2008 (which determines the teaching of African and Indigenous History and Culture in High Schools), this paper will discuss some challenges and strategies to talk about cultural diversity, racism, relativism and ethnocentrism in schools. Since 2008, Sociology is a mandatory subject during the three years of High Schools and has been taken as a space to teach these and other anthropological topics. Unfortunately, nowadays, these conquers have been jeopardizing by the educational policies from Temer and Bolsonaro's Governments, as the High School Reform from 2017. Is the teaching of Anthropology in brazilian schools threatened or have we already built a secure base for its continuity?