# Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648110](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648110)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-4024-of-december-20-1961

## Summary
**Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961**, officially titled **Lei nº 4024, de 20 de dezembro de 1961**, is a Brazilian federal statute enacted on December 20, 1961. Its primary purpose is to establish the guidelines and foundations for national education in Brazil, as defined in its digest: "FIXA AS DIRETRIZES E BASES DA EDUCAÇÃO NACIONAL" (Fixes the Guidelines and Bases of National Education). It is an instance of a statute, published in Brasília.

## Key Facts
- **Title:** Lei nº 4024, de 20 de dezembro de 1961 (Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961).
- **Type:** Statute (formal written document that creates law).
- **Date:** December 20, 1961 (approved/publication date).
- **Digest/Subject:** Fixes the Guidelines and Bases of National Education ("FIXA AS DIRETRIZES E BASES DA EDUCAÇÃO NACIONAL").
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (Federative Republic of Brazil).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgation:** Promulgated by João Goulart (President of Brazil in 1961).
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4024.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 4024/1961.
- **Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4024.htm.
- **Related Concepts:** Statute (class), Brazil (origin/location).

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961?**
Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961 is a Brazilian federal statute that establishes the guidelines and bases for the national education system in Brazil.

**Who promulgated this law?**
The law was promulgated by João Goulart, acting through the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on December 20, 1961.

**Where can the full text of this law be found?**
The full text is available at the official Planalto website (https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4024.htm) and is identified by the Lexml Brazil ID urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4024.

**What type of legal document is this?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In the Brazilian context, it is a "Lei" (Law).

## Why It Matters
Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961, holds significant historical and legal importance as it set out to define the "Guidelines and Bases of National Education" in Brazil. As a statute, it represents a formal manifestation of statutory law, enacted by the federal government to regulate and structure the educational framework of the country. Its enactment in 1961 under President João Goulart marks a specific legislative effort to consolidate educational policy at a national level. The law is a foundational legal instrument for understanding the evolution of Brazil's educational system.

## Notable For
- **Establishing National Education Guidelines:** Its primary notability stems from its official subject matter of fixing the guidelines and bases of national education.
- **Promulgation by João Goulart:** The law was enacted during the presidency of João Goulart, a notable figure in Brazilian history.
- **Legal Classification as a Statute:** It is a clear example of a "statute" (statute) in the Brazilian legal system, a formal written document creating law.
- **Federal Scope:** As a federal law ("Lei federal"), it applies to the entire jurisdiction of Brazil.
- **Public Accessibility:** The text is publicly available via the official government portal (Planalto), ensuring public access to the law.

## Body

### Official Identification and Citation
Law No. 4024 of December 20, 1961 is formally identified by the title **Lei nº 4024, de 20 de dezembro de 1961**. It is also cited as **Lei nº 4024/1961**. The law is uniquely identified in the Brazilian legal information system by the Lexml Brazil ID: **urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4024**. This Uniform Resource Name serves as a persistent identifier for the legal text.

### Subject Matter and Purpose
The central purpose of this statute is explicitly stated in its law digest: "**FIXA AS DIRETRIZES E BASES DA EDUCAÇÃO NACIONAL**" (Fixes the Guidelines and Bases of National Education). The main subject of the law is categorized as a "decision" related to this "Fixação" (Fixing/Establishment). This indicates the law's role in making definitive determinations regarding the structure and principles of education across the nation.

### Legislative and Executive Context
The law was approved and promulgated by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil** (Presidência da República Federativa do Brasil). The promulgation, which gives the law its force, occurred on **December 20, 1961**, and was performed by **João Goulart**, who was serving as the President at that time. This action was carried out through the method of "promulgation." The law's place of publication is listed as **Brasília**, the federal capital of Brazil.

### Classification and Type
This legal instrument is classified as an **instance of a statute**. A statute, as a legal concept, is defined as a formal written document that creates law. It can encompass acts, executive orders, and by-laws. This law is therefore a manifestation of statutory law and has legal norms as its constituent parts. Its creation is the result of "legislation" or a "legal act."

### Jurisdiction and Language
Law No. 4024 applies to the jurisdiction of **Brazil**. As a federal law of Brazil, it is written in **Brazilian Portuguese**. It applies across all states and territories within the Federative Republic of Brazil.

### Access and References
The official text of Law No. 4024 is available online at the following URL: **https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l4024.htm**. This link is hosted by the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic. The law is also tracked on WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its relevance to collaborative knowledge bases.

### Connection to Brazil
The law originates from and applies to **Brazil**, the largest country in South America. Brazil, a federal republic with its capital in Brasília (since 1960), gained independence from Portugal in 1822. At the time of this law's enactment in 1961, the country was operating under the presidential system, with João Goulart as the head of state. This law is a product of the Brazilian legislative process, exercising government authority within its territory.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-12-20;4024)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=4024&ano=1961&data=20/12/1961&ato=339o3YU5keVRVT7a7)
3. LexML Brasil