A Brazilian state court is hearing the case of a mother who has been prosecuted for homeschooling her son. Regiane Cichelero, a Christian mom in Santa Catarina, Brazil, began homeschooling her 9-year-old son during the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued to do so after schools reopened, citing a better education as well as the family’s Christian convictions.

Local authorities initially fined Cichelero more than the U.S. equivalent of $20,000 before threatening to remove her son from her custody if she did not reenroll him in public school. Alliance Defending Freedom International has taken up the case, helping Cichelero coordinate her defense in court.

“No parent should fear state punishment for choosing to homeschool their child,” said Julio Pohl, ADF International’s legal counsel for Latin America. “Regiane made a lawful and conscientious decision to teach her son at home. We are hopeful that the court will affirm her rights and take an important step toward protecting parental rights in Brazil.”

While homeschooling is legal in Brazil, there have been challenges for families who choose to do so. In 2018, the country’s highest court ruled that while it was not unconstitutional to homeschool, laws regulating its implementation were needed. No further clarifications were made.

In 2022, Santa Catarina, where Cichelero lives, passed a law restricting homeschooling—but that law was eventually declared unconstitutional in 2024. Homeschooling is very common in Brazil, with more than 70,000 families teaching their children at home. Despite its prevalence, local authorities often pressure families into enrolling their children in public school, since the funding for those schools is based on the number of students enrolled.

Brazil has also ratified multiple international treaties protecting parents’ right to choose their children’s education, including homeschooling.

“It is my role as a mother to provide the best education I can for my son. The state’s decision to penalize me has made it difficult to fulfill that duty,” Cichelero recently said. “But I look forward to this hearing, and I am hopeful for a decision that affirms the right of parents to direct their children’s education. No parent in Brazil should fear the risk of fines or even of losing custody of their child simply for making the best choice for their family.” 

Photo: ADF International