# Law No. 3657 of November 10, 1959

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648601](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648601)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3657-of-november-10-1959

## Summary
Law No. 3657 of November 10, 1959, is a Brazilian statute enacted during the presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek to include higher education institutions among federally subsidized establishments. It specifically expanded government funding to universities and colleges in select states, formalizing financial support for higher education infrastructure. Enacted on November 10, 1959, the law remains a foundational piece of Brazil’s educational policy framework.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** November 10, 1959.
- **Approved By:** President Juscelino Kubitschek.
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Focus Areas:** Higher education institutions in states including Ceará, Paraíba, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul.
- **Purpose:** To classify higher education institutions as entities eligible for federal subventions (grants).
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3657/1959.
- **Publication:** Officially published in Rio de Janeiro, accessible via the Brazilian Legal Database (LexML) at [urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-10;3657](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-10;3657).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Connected Entities:** Federal Government of Brazil, municipalities, and state governments in specified regions.
- **Historical Context:** Part of Kubitschek’s broader modernization agenda (1956–1961), which prioritized education and industrial development.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 3657 of 1959?**  
This law expanded federal funding to include higher education institutions, ensuring government subsidies for universities and colleges in key states, thereby supporting Brazil’s educational infrastructure.

**Who enacted the law?**  
The law was approved by President Juscelino Kubitschek on November 10, 1959, as part of his administration’s focus on national development through education and industrialization.

**Which regions does the law specifically target?**  
The statute explicitly names states such as Ceará, Paraíba, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul, along with municipalities, as beneficiaries of the federal subventions for higher education institutions.

**Why is this law historically significant?**  
It marked a critical step in Brazil’s efforts to modernize its education system during the mid-20th century, aligning with Kubitschek’s "50 Years of Progress in 5" agenda to accelerate national development through strategic investments in infrastructure and human capital.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3657 of 1959 is pivotal in Brazil’s educational history, as it institutionalized federal support for higher education during a period of rapid modernization. By designating universities and colleges as recipients of government grants, the law helped expand access to higher education, fostering skilled workforce development and regional growth. This legislation reflects Brazil’s broader post-war efforts to reduce inequality and promote technological advancement, leaving a lasting legacy in the country’s educational and economic frameworks. Its provisions underscored the federal government’s commitment to reducing regional disparities by targeting states with varying socioeconomic profiles, thereby shaping the trajectory of public education in Brazil.

## Notable For
- **Targeted Regional Development:** Explicitly named beneficiary states, emphasizing equitable resource distribution.
- **Kubitschek’s Modernization Agenda:** A key component of the president’s vision for accelerated national progress.
- **Enduring Legal Framework:** Remains referenced in contemporary discussions on education funding and federal-state partnerships.
- **Historical Context:** Enacted during Brazil’s Second Republic (1946–1964), a period of democratic governance preceding the military dictatorship.

## Body

### Enactment and Historical Context
Law No. 3657 was promulgated on November 10, 1959, under President Juscelino Kubitschek, a leader whose administration (1956–1961) prioritized industrialization, infrastructure, and education. The law aligned with his "50 Years of Progress in 5" slogan, which aimed to modernize Brazil through targeted investments. By classifying higher education institutions as federally subsidized entities, the statute sought to address regional educational disparities and cultivate a skilled workforce critical for national development.

### Key Provisions
The law explicitly included "higher education institutions" (cursos superiores) among entities eligible for federal subventions, with a focus on states such as Ceará, Paraíba, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, São Paulo, and Rio Grande do Sul. This legislative action formalized financial support for universities and colleges, enabling expansions in academic offerings, infrastructure, and accessibility. Municipalities were also recognized as stakeholders, ensuring localized implementation of federal education policies.

### Geographical and Institutional Impact
By naming specific states, the law addressed regional inequalities in educational resources. For example, São Paulo and Minas Gerais, already hubs of economic activity, received support to further develop their institutions, while Northeastern states like Ceará and Paraíba benefited from increased federal investment to bridge gaps in access to higher education. This approach reflected a broader strategy to balance development across Brazil’s diverse regions.

### Legacy and Modern Relevance
Law No. 3657 remains a reference point in Brazil’s legal and educational history. Its emphasis on federal support for higher education laid groundwork for subsequent expansions of public universities, such as the creation of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in 1964. Today, the statute is cited in discussions about the role of government in education funding, particularly in debates over resource allocation to public institutions versus private entities. Its principles continue to influence policies aimed at promoting equitable access to higher education across Brazil’s 26 states and Federal District.

### Legal and Administrative Framework
The law operates within Brazil’s constitutional structure, which mandates federal responsibility for overseeing national education policies (Article 205 of the 1988 Constitution). As a statute, it exemplifies the legislative process outlined in Brazil’s legal system, wherein draft laws (projetos de lei) are proposed, debated, and approved by the National Congress before presidential sanction. Law No. 3657’s publication in the *Diário Oficial da União* and its archiving in the LexML database ensure its accessibility as a public domain document, consistent with Brazil’s transparency laws.

### Connected Entities and Relationships
- **Presidency of Juscelino Kubitschek:** The law is tied to Kubitschek’s legacy, particularly his focus on education and infrastructure symbolized by the founding of Brasília in 1960.
- **Federal Government of Brazil:** The statute delegates responsibilities to the Ministry of Education (MEC) to administer subsidies and oversee institutional compliance.
- **State Governments:** Beneficiary states were required to collaborate with federal authorities to implement the law, fostering cooperative federalism.
- **Municipalities:** Local governments played a role in identifying and supporting eligible institutions within their jurisdictions.

### Documentation and Accessibility
The law is cataloged in Brazil’s LexML database (urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-10;3657) and accessible via the Planalto Portal, ensuring public access to its full text. Its publication in Rio de Janeiro, then the capital, followed standard legal dissemination procedures of the time. As a public domain document, it is freely usable for legal, academic, and civic purposes, reinforcing Brazil’s commitment to open governance.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1959-11-10;3657)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3657&ano=1959&data=10/11/1959&ato=30fETR65UMRRVT023)
3. LexML Brasil