New York City Court Orders Education Physical Class Regularization Plan

A court has mandated that the Municipality of Nova Iorque, in Maranhão, Brazil, must present a plan to regularize physical education classes across its municipal school network. This decision stems from a lawsuit filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Maranhão (MP-MA), which highlighted significant irregularities in the teaching of the subject. The court's order, issued on July 23rd, requires the municipality to provide detailed information regarding teachers, sports equipment, and school infrastructure within specific deadlines. An earlier inspection by the Regional Council of Physical Education (CREF21/MA) revealed that physical education classes for early childhood and early elementary grades were being taught by educators without specialized training in the field. Furthermore, one instructor was teaching in Maranhão with professional registration from another state's council without proper transfer. In some schools, physical education was not formally offered, being treated merely as recreational activity, and some facilities lacked adequate sports spaces, forcing classes into unsuitable public areas or poorly equipped gyms. The municipality faces a daily fine of R$ 1,000, capped at R$ 50,000, if it fails to comply, with the funds directed to the State Fund for the Defense of Diffuse Rights. The mayor, Daniel Castro, is personally liable for this penalty. The municipality must submit a list of all physical education teachers, including their qualifications and assignments, within 30 days. Within 60 days, a project for adaptation, including potential hiring needs and budget forecasts, must be presented. A survey of sports materials and a plan for acquisition and distribution are also due within 60 days. Finally, within 90 days, a diagnosis of the spaces used for physical education classes, including proposed renovations or construction for sports courts, must be delivered, prioritizing two specific schools.