Educação democrática e escola pública: dos tempos de Anísio Teixeira aos dias atuais - o que há de novo?

Historically, quality education in Brazil has been a privilege of the most economically favored social groups, relegating access to education to a large part of the population, especially the sons and daughters of the working classes, reflecting the division of society into social classes. In this context, the creation of a public education system based on the educational project conceived by Anísio Teixeira, through his ideal of a public, secular, and free school, was fundamental. Through the lens of Critical Theory of Society and considering the excellence of Anísio Teixeira's educational legacy, we discuss the importance of education for the strengthening and sustainability of democracy, a foundational category of a just and humane society, as well as highlighting the advances and challenges of contemporary education.