Global Journal of Human Social Science, G: Linguistics and Education, Volume 25 Issue 3

Roberta Araujo de Souza α & Audic Cavalcante Mota Dias σ Summary- This paper aims to analyze legal education in times of COVID-19. It is indisputable that Law Schools must prepare students for a world in constant transformation. The ways of learning have undergone notable changes with the COVID-19 pandemic and technology is increasingly present in schools. Access to knowledge is more available to social actors and distance learning has become a reality for Law Courses. This is a descriptive literature review study, of a qualitative nature, on legal education in times of COVID-19 with relevant guidelines for teachers and students in light of the recommendations of the Ministry of Education. I. I ntroduction OVID-19 is caused by the etiological agent called SARS-CoV-2. This disease initially emerged in China in December 2019 and quickly spread throughout the country and the world. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Because of its recent discover, its epidemio- logical aspects were not yet fully known, such as the exact incubation period, the possibility of transmission from asymptomatic carriers, the formation of antibodies and the transmissibility rate. In Brazil, there were many confirmed cases, according to data from the Ministry of Health, including occurrences in several states in the country. In this global scenario, including in Brazil, social isolation measures were taken to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Among these measures, it is worth highlighting the decision to close educational institutions, which had to suspend their in-person classes and activities. In this perspective, the Ministry of Education, in view of its prerogatives, on March 13, 2020, through the response to Presidential Letter No. 008/2020, dated March 12, 2020, responded to the Brazilian Association of Higher Education Institutions, that, in consultation with the National Education Council, regarding the applicability of the guidelines set out in NEC Opinion No. 19/2009, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications, on decision-making and measures related to compliance with the academic calendar by private Higher Education Institutions (ME, 2020). In this sense, considering its full validity and its adherence to the current moment, in the perception of the National Education Council there is no impediment to its use as a guiding parameter for higher education institutions accredited to the federal education system (ME, 2020), bringing alternatives to supply the teaching and learning process in contexts characterized by the absence of contact between students and teachers in the same physical environment. Still regarding the prerogatives of the Ministry of Education, it issued Ordinance No. 343, of March 17, 2020, which provides for the replacement of face-to-face classes with classes in digital media while the pandemic situation of the New Coronavirus - COVID-19 lasts, in which it clarifies, in article 1, that the authorization period was up to thirty days, extendable, depending on guidance from the Ministry of Health and state, municipal and district health agencies. Furthermore, article 2 highlights that it is the responsibility of the institutions to define the subjects that may be replaced, to make tools available to students that allow them to monitor the content offered, as well as to carry out assessments during the authorization period (ME, 2020). In recent decades, numerous works have been published addressing the challenges of Legal Education in Brazil. The topic has grown each year through the creation of working groups in different Forums and Congresses. In general, the texts produced on the subject indicate that there is an indisputable need for Law Schools to prepare academics for a world that is constantly changing. Preparing students for the challenges of the world involves redefining the way Law Schools conduct the educational process. It is necessary to understand that the way of providing learning in the 21st century has changed radically. It is necessary to recognize that the student profile is not the same as it was ten or five years ago. The ways of learning have also undergone notable C Global Journal of Human-Social Science ( G ) XXV Issue III Version I Year 2025 1 © 2025 Global Journals Author α : Master's degree in Constitutional Law with emphasis in Public Law from the University of Fortaleza (PPGD-UNIFOR). Specialist in Constitutional Law and Constitutional Procedure from the University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). Bachelor of Laws from the University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR). Lawyer. e-mail: roberta.araujo@hotmail.com Author σ : Master's degree in Constitutional Law with emphasis in Public Law from the University of Fortaleza (PPGD-UNIFOR). State Deputy (CE). Bachelor of Laws from the Federal University of Ceará (UFCE). Specialist in Tax Law (UNIFOR), Electoral Law (ESMEC), Administrative Law (UNIFOR) and Political Science (UNIPACE). PhD candidate in Political Science (ISCSP – University of Lisbon). Lawyer. e-mail: audicmota@yahoo.com.br Legal Education and COVID-19: Current and Post- Pandemic Changes Keywords: legal education, learning, distance education, COVID-19.