# Law No. 2938 of November 2, 1956

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649763)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-2938-of-november-2-1956

## Summary
**Law No. 2938 of November 2, 1956** (Portuguese: *Lei nº 2938, de 2 de novembro de 1956*) is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek. The legislation establishes specific teaching programs that serve as the basis for civil service examinations (concursos) for teaching positions in Brazil. It is a formal legal document classified as a statute and public domain government edict.

## Key Facts
- **Full Title:** Lei nº 2938, de 2 de novembro de 1956
- **Alternative Name:** Lei nº 2938/1956
- **Enactment Date:** November 2, 1956
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Signatory:** President Juscelino Kubitschek
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil
- **Place of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro (then federal capital)
- **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Official Subject:** Government program (specifically teaching programs for magistry contests)
- **Legal Digest:** "DISPÕE SOBRE OS PROGRAMAS DE ENSINO QUE SERVIRÃO DE BASE AO CONCURSO DE CARGOS DE MAGISTERIO" (Provides for the teaching programs that will serve as the basis for the contest for teaching positions)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **LexML Brazil ID:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-02;2938`
- **Official URL:** Available at the Planalto Palace archives (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2938.htm`)
- **Copyright Status:** Public Domain (Edict of government)

## FAQs

**What is the specific purpose of Law No. 2938/1956?**
The law mandates and defines the teaching programs used as the evaluation criteria for civil service examinations for teaching positions ("cargos de magistério") in Brazil.

**Who signed Law No. 2938 into effect?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and signed by President Juscelino Kubitschek on November 2, 1956.

**Where was this law originally published?**
The law was published in Rio de Janeiro, which served as the capital of Brazil and the seat of the federal government until the inauguration of Brasília in 1960.

**How is this law classified legally?**
It is classified as a "statute," which is a formal written document that creates law. As a government edict in Brazil, it is considered a public domain document.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 2938 matters as a specific regulatory instrument for education and public service in Brazil. By standardizing the "teaching programs" required for "concursos" (competitive civil service exams), the law directly influenced the hiring and qualification standards for educators during the mid-20th century. It represents the exercise of statutory authority by the Brazilian federal government to organize its educational workforce. Furthermore, enacted in 1956, it falls within the early years of the Juscelino Kubitschek administration, a pivotal period in Brazilian history marked by rapid modernization and development goals.

## Notable For
- **Educational Regulation:** Specifically targets the programs of study used for examining candidates for teaching positions.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted in Rio de Janeiro when it was still the federal capital.
- **Statutory Definition:** Serves as a concrete example of a "statute" as defined by legal ontology—a formal written document creating law that is in the public domain.
- **LexML Integration:** Identified within the Brazilian Legal Information system (LexML) with the URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-02;2938`.

## Body

### Legislative Definition and Classification
Law No. 2938 is a **statute**, defined as a formal written document enacted to create law. As a subclass of written work and legal rule, it functions as the concrete manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system. It was created through the act of legislation and promulgated by the Executive branch.

As a government edict, the text of Law No. 2938 is in the **public domain**. Under the "edict of government doctrine," official legal documents such as this are not subject to copyright, ensuring unrestricted public access.

### Subject Matter and Scope
The law's primary function is regulatory regarding public education employment. The official digest states: *"DISPÕE SOBRE OS PROGRAMAS DE ENSINO QUE SERVIRÃO DE BASE AO CONCURSO DE CARGOS DE MAGISTERIO."*

*   **Main Subject:** Government program (Programa).
*   **Application:** It applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**, specifically governing the framework for competitive examinations (concursos) used to fill teaching roles in the public sector.

### Enactment and Historical Context
The statute was officially approved and promulgated on **November 2, 1956**.
*   **Approving Body:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
*   **Head of State:** President **Juscelino Kubitschek** (in office 1956–1961).
*   **Location:** The law was published in **Rio de Janeiro**. At the time of enactment, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil; the capital was not transferred to Brasília until April 1960.

### Official Identifiers and Access
The law is cataloged and accessible through various official legal databases and structured data systems:

*   **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2938/1956.
*   **LexML URN:** `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-02;2938`. This Uniform Resource Name identifies the law within the Brazilian Legal Information system.
*   **Digital Access:** The full text is available at the official government portal of the Presidency of the Republic (`https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2938.htm`).
*   **Language:** The text is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**.
*   **Project Tracking:** It is listed on "WikiProject Brazilian Laws," indicating it is a tracked entity within collaborative knowledge bases.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-11-02;2938)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=2938&ano=1956&data=02/11/1956&ato=b7ecXWE90dNRVTb50)
3. LexML Brasil