A consortium of Afonso França and Astra won the auction for a Public-Private Partnership to manage the infrastructure of 107 municipal schools in Porto Alegre. The project covers the renovation of 97 existing units and the construction of ten new ones, lasting 20 years with an estimated investment of R$ 4.7 billion.
On December 10, 2025, Porto Alegre held its first auction for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to manage the integrated educational infrastructure of its municipal network. The winning consortium, formed by Afonso França and Astra, will handle the renovation and maintenance of 97 existing schools, plus the construction of ten new education centers for early childhood, elementary, secondary, and EJA (Youth and Adult Education).
The concessionaire will oversee infrastructure investments and support activities, such as building maintenance, cleaning, security, and waste management. However, the pedagogical project, teacher management, and school meals will remain under the Prefecture's control, led by Mayor Sebastião Melo (MDB). The 20-year contract anticipates R$ 912 million for works and modernization, with a total estimated value of R$ 4.7 billion.
This initiative is the first time a Brazilian capital has outsourced the management of its basic education network in this manner. The model resembles the PPP implemented in the state of São Paulo under Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), which emphasizes building 33 new schools with R$ 2.1 billion in investments over 25 years. There, half the units are due by 2026 and the rest by 2027, following a temporary court suspension lifted by STF President Luís Roberto Barroso.
The measure aims to enhance school infrastructure in Porto Alegre, though it sparks discussions on balancing efficiency with public oversight in education.
