# Law No. 6680 of August 16, 1979 > Brazilian law **Wikidata**: [Q105659606](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105659606) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6680-of-august-16-1979 ## Summary Law No. 6680 of August 16, 1979 (Lei nº 6680/1979) is a Brazilian federal statute that establishes regulations governing the relationships between student bodies and higher education institutions in Brazil. Promulgated by President João Figueiredo during Brazil's military government period, the law addresses matters of student rights, institutional competencies, and the organizational structure of educational establishments. It represents a foundational legal framework for Brazilian higher education governance, operating within the country's federal system under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education (MEC). ## Key Facts - **Official Title:** Lei nº 6680, de 16 de agosto de 1979 - **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6680/1979 - **Date of Enactment:** August 16, 1979 - **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil - **Signed by:** President João Figueiredo (determination method: promulgation) - **Country of Jurisdiction:** Brazil - **Place of Publication:** Brasília - **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese - **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law - **LEXML Brazil Identifier:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1979-08-16;6680 - **Instance Of:** Statute (formal written document that creates law) - **Legal Subject Matter:** Educational institution, competency, classification, Ministry of Education, participant, legal norm, rights, by-law, creation - **Official Source URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6680.htm - **Legislative Source:** https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6680&ano=1979&data=16/08/1979&ato=015MzZU1EMrRVT74e ## FAQs **What is the primary purpose of Law No. 6680/1979?** Law No. 6680 of August 16, 1979 establishes the legal framework for relationships between student bodies and higher education institutions in Brazil. It defines the rights and responsibilities of students, the competencies of educational institutions, and the organizational structures governing Brazilian higher education. **Who promulgated Law No. 6680/1979?** The law was promulgated by President João Figueiredo, who served as President of Brazil from 1979 to 1985 during the military government period. The law was signed on August 16, 1979. **What type of legal instrument is Law No. 6680/1979?** Law No. 6680/1979 is classified as a statute—a formal written document that creates law. It is an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and functions as a manifestation of statutory law within the Brazilian legal system. **What subjects does Law No. 6680/1979 address?** The law addresses multiple interconnected subjects including educational institutions (Estabelecimento De Ensino), competency (Competencia), classification (Classificação), the Ministry of Education (Ministerio Da Educação - MEC), participants or members (Membros), legal norms (Normas), rights (Direitos), by-laws (Estatuto), and the creation of educational entities (Criação). **Where can Law No. 6680/1979 be accessed in full text?** The full text of the law is available through the official Brazilian government portal at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6680.htm and through the presidential legislation database at https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6680&ano=1979&data=16/08/1979&ato=015MzZU1EMrRVT74e. **What jurisdiction does Law No. 6680/1979 apply to?** The law applies to the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically within the context of higher education institutions operating under the Brazilian federal system and regulated by the Ministry of Education. ## Why It Matters Law No. 6680 of August 16, 1979 matters because it established one of the foundational legal frameworks for higher education governance in Brazil during a critical period of the country's development. As a statute enacted during the military government era, it reflects the legal approach to organizing and regulating the relationship between students and educational institutions at a time when Brazil was expanding its higher education system to meet growing societal demands. The law's significance lies in its role as a legal norm that defines the structural relationship between the student body and higher education institutions. By explicitly addressing matters of competency, classification, rights, and institutional creation, Law No. 6680/1979 provided a framework that shaped how Brazilian universities and colleges would organize their internal affairs, define student representation, and establish the legal boundaries of educational administration. Furthermore, this statute demonstrates how Brazil codified its higher education legislation, creating a formal written record that serves as a reference point for understanding the legal foundations of Brazilian education law. The law's inclusion in official government databases and its assignment of unique identifiers (such as the LEXML Brazil ID) underscores its continued relevance as a legal instrument within the Brazilian legal system. The law also matters because it represents the intersection of educational policy and statutory law, showing how legislative action translates into concrete governance structures for educational institutions. Its existence provides legal certainty for higher education institutions, students, and administrators regarding their respective rights and responsibilities. ## Notable For - **Foundational Higher Education Legislation:** One of the key Brazilian federal laws establishing the legal framework for student-institution relationships in higher education. - **Historical Significance:** Enacted during the military government period (1979), representing Brazil's approach to educational governance during that era. - **Official Legal Identifier:** Assigned the LEXML Brazil identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1979-08-16;6680, demonstrating its integration into Brazilian legislative databases. - **Comprehensive Subject Coverage:** Addresses multiple aspects of higher education governance including institutional competency, classification, rights, by-laws, and creation of educational entities. - **Presidential Promulgation:** Directly promulgated by President João Figueiredo, indicating its status as a significant federal statute. - **Continued Accessibility:** Remains publicly available through official government portals, ensuring transparency and access to Brazilian statutory law. ## Body ### Legislative Origin and Enactment Law No. 6680 of August 16, 1979 originated from the federal legislative process of Brazil and was promulgated by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The law was signed into effect on August 16, 1979, during the administration of President João Figueiredo, who served as President from 1979 to 1985. This period represented the later phase of Brazil's military government, which ruled the country from 1964 to 1985. The enactment of this law reflects the broader context of Brazilian legislative activity during the late 1970s, when the federal government was actively regulating various aspects of Brazilian society through formal statutory instruments. The law was published in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, which had been the seat of federal government since 1960 when the capital was transferred from Rio de Janeiro. ### Legal Classification and Nature Law No. 6680/1979 is classified as a statute within the Brazilian legal system. A statute, as defined in legal terminology, is a formal written document that creates law, encompassing acts, executive orders, and by-laws. This classification places the law within the category of primary legislation—official legal documents that establish binding rules and principles. The law functions as a manifestation of statutory law in Brazil, representing the formal expression of legislative will at the federal level. As a legal norm, it contains provisions that create rights and obligations for higher education institutions and students alike. The law is also characterized as a "by-law" (Estatuto) in its nature, suggesting that it provides a framework for the organizational rules governing educational institutions. ### Subject Matter and Content Areas The law addresses a comprehensive range of subject matters related to higher education in Brazil. The primary subject areas include: **Educational Institutions (Estabelecimento De Ensino):** The law establishes the legal framework for higher education institutions in Brazil, defining their organizational structure, governance, and operational parameters. **Competency (Competencia):** The law delineates the competencies and authority of various actors within the higher education system, including institutional administrators, faculty, and student bodies. **Classification (Classificação):** The legislation provides for the classification of different types of higher education institutions and their respective programs. **Ministry of Education (Ministerio Da Educação - MEC):** The law operates within the framework of the federal Ministry of Education, which serves as the regulatory authority for higher education in Brazil. **Participants/Members (Membros):** The law addresses the rights and responsibilities of participants in the higher education process, including students, faculty, and administrative staff. **Legal Norms (Normas):** The legislation establishes the legal norms that govern relationships within higher education institutions. **Rights (Direitos):** The law defines the rights of students and institutions within the educational context. **By-laws (Estatuto):** The legislation provides the framework for institutional by-laws and internal regulations. **Creation (Criação):** The law addresses matters related to the establishment and creation of new higher education institutions. ### Official Documentation and References Law No. 6680/1979 is documented in multiple official Brazilian government databases and legislative repositories. The official full text is available through the Presidency's legislation portal, which provides access to federal laws enacted since the colonial period. The law can be accessed at the official government URL: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1970-1979/l6680.htm. The law is also catalogued in the LEXML system, which serves as the primary repository for Brazilian legislative information. The LEXML identifier for this law is urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1979-08-16;6680, which provides a unique reference for legal research and citation purposes. The legal citation for this statute is "Lei nº 6680/1979" or "Lei nº 6680, de 16 de agosto de 1979," which follows the standard Brazilian convention for citing federal legislation. ### Jurisdiction and Legal System Integration Law No. 6680/1979 applies to the jurisdiction of the Federative Republic of Brazil, specifically within the context of federal higher education governance. The law operates within Brazil's federal system, which divides governmental authority between the federal government and the states and municipalities. As a federal statute, Law No. 6680/1979 takes precedence over state and municipal legislation in matters within its scope, establishing uniform rules for higher education institutions across the country. The law's integration into the Brazilian legal system is evidenced by its classification as a legal norm and its inclusion in official legal databases. The law was enacted in Brazilian Portuguese, which is the official language of Brazil and the language used for all federal legislation. This ensures clarity and consistency in the interpretation and application of the law throughout the country. ### Historical and Policy Context The enactment of Law No. 6680/1979 occurred during a significant period in Brazilian history. The late 1970s represented a time of gradual political liberalization in Brazil, a process that would eventually lead to the return to democratic civilian rule in 1985. During this period, the military government maintained control while beginning to implement certain reforms and institutionalize certain aspects of governance. Higher education in Brazil had been expanding significantly during the 20th century, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. This expansion created a need for formal legal frameworks to govern the relationships between educational institutions and their various stakeholders. Law No. 6680/1979 represented the federal government's response to this need, establishing clear legal parameters for student-institution relationships. The law reflects the policy priorities of the military government regarding higher education, which emphasized institutional stability, clear lines of authority, and the regulation of student activities within educational establishments. These priorities were consistent with the broader governmental approach to maintaining order and predictability in Brazilian society during the military period. ### Relationship to Brazilian Education Law Law No. 6680/1979 exists within a broader framework of Brazilian education law. The law operates in conjunction with other federal legislation governing education, including the Constitution of Brazil and subsequent education statutes. The Ministry of Education (MEC) serves as the primary federal agency responsible for implementing and overseeing compliance with this legislation. The law's provisions regarding the creation of educational institutions align with broader federal policies regarding the establishment and authorization of higher education providers. The classification and competency provisions reflect the regulatory approach taken by Brazilian authorities to maintain quality standards and accountability in higher education. As part of the statutory framework for Brazilian education, Law No. 6680/1979 contributes to the legal infrastructure that governs one of the largest higher education systems in Latin America. Brazil's higher education system serves millions of students across public and private institutions, and this law provides one of the foundational legal frameworks for that system. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1979-08-16;6680) 2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6680&ano=1979&data=16/08/1979&ato=015MzZU1EMrRVT74e) 3. LexML Brasil