Students Will Benefit From Affirmative Action Bill Approved In Brazil

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Students pose for their official group photograph at the University of Birmingham as they take part in their degree congregations on July 14, 2011 in Birmingham, England. Thousands of students around Britain are taking part in their graduation ceremonies this week and will begin the search for employment, however according to recent studies there are currently 83 graduates applying for every one job vacancy. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (2011 Getty Images)

All students across Brazil will have a better shot at college now that the Brazilian Senate has approved an affirmative action bill.

The bill will reserve half the spots in federal universities for high school graduates of public schools, and distributes them according to the racial makeup of each state.

The Senate's news agency says the bill that was approved late Tuesday now goes to President Dilma Rousseff, who is expected to approve it.

The reserved spots will be distributed among black, mixed race and indigenous students in proportion to the racial composition of each state, the official agency said.

Sen. Paulo Paim said the bill will benefit most Brazilian students because private schools account for just one of 10 students.

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The Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that it was constitutional for universities to use racial quotas.

After Nigeria, Brazil has more citizens of African ancestry than any nation. Fifty-one percent of Brazil's 192 million people are black or of mixed-race,

Backers say the use of scholarships, quotas and other policies aimed at getting more blacks and mixed-race Brazilians into universities is needed to right the historic wrongs of slavery, centuries of stark economic inequality and a society in which whites are overwhelmingly in leadership roles in government and business.

"The bill makes social justice with a majority of Brazil's population," said Senator Ana Rita.

Sen. Aloysio Nunes Ferreira voted against the bill, saying, "It straitjackets universities because it violates their management autonomy."

Based on reporting by the Associated Press.