Since June 2025, the Tarcísio de Freitas government has not transferred funds for maintenance of state schools in São Paulo, leaving units without resources for basic repairs less than two weeks before classes start. Directors report shortages of chairs, desks, and accumulated infrastructure issues. The Education Secretariat claims to have released R$ 232 million on Monday (19), providing 13 days for fixes.
The Dinheiro Direto na Escola Program (PDDE Paulista), created in 2019 by then-governor João Doria, aims to give schools autonomy to address infrastructure issues and purchase materials. In 2025, directors expected payments in February, June, and October, but the last installment was not made, accumulating problems in the second semester.
A director from a school in Sorocaba, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals, reported the need to fix fans, curtains, unclog sinks and toilets, perform pest control, deratization, and clean water tanks. He noted that since 2019, it's the first time units have gone so long without funds, affecting buildings with up to 3,500 daily students.
Another interior director mentioned a roof damaged by a December storm, causing classroom leaks. In Mauá, an anonymous director said six-year-olds use chairs unsuitable for teens, despite multiple requests to the secretariat with no response.
Messages in WhatsApp groups show directors requesting furniture donations from neighboring schools. The School Works and Maintenance Services sector sent: "We need your help in reallocating chairs and desks, look kindly at the ‘messy little rooms’ there is always a piece that after some adjustment can be used."
This follows the approval of a PEC reducing minimum education spending from 30% to 25% from 2025, allowing transfers to health. The government plans to outsource maintenance in 143 São Paulo schools via PPP in the second quarter of 2026. Tarcísio defended: "More than 80% of our schools are over 20 years old. We have a very aged structure."
The secretariat stated that in 2025, R$ 787 million was transferred in February and June. For 2026, the budget is R$ 408.1 million, higher than 2025's initial R$ 240.2 million, based on criteria like Saeb performance and student numbers.
