After years of political advocacy and social mobilization, the Cost of Quality Education per Student (CAQ) has been incorporated into Brazil’s Federal Constitution, marking a historic achievement for civil society. Developed by the Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education, the CAQ establishes a legally binding minimum investment per student to guarantee quality standards in all public schools — including adequate infrastructure, fair teacher salaries, and conducive learning conditions. It also reinforces the federal government’s responsibility to ensure equity among states and municipalities through supplementary funding.

In this Technical Note, 2024 CAQi estimates are presented, detailing the required investment levels by education stage, location, and teaching hours, as well as the federal contributions needed to guarantee these standards. Learn more in the full document published by the Brazilian Campaign for the Right to Education, Fineduca, and the Educational Data Laboratory (LDE).