Fortaleza Consumer Watchdog Targets School Supply Abuses, Gives Private Schools Five Days to Comply

Overview

• Procon Fortaleza launched the Operation Material Escolar on January 6 and notified at least 60 private schools to review their supply lists.
• Authorities published a list of 77 collective-use items that cannot be charged to families, including disinfectant, toilet paper, plastic bags, alcohol and disposable cups.
• Schools must submit their material lists within five days or face administrative penalties that can include fines of up to R$18.8 million.
• The enforcement is grounded in Federal Law No. 12.886/2013, which permits only items for individual student use that are justified by the pedagogical plan.
• Procon flagged as abusive the imposition of brands or vendors, forced on-campus purchases, material-use fees or fee substitutions, and retaining transfer documents for unpaid debts, while advising parents that only one ream of paper per student may be requested and that complaints can be filed via phone 151.