The research aimed to understand Law 10.639/03 in the school curriculum of Public
Schools of Recife Municipal Network, contextualizing its practices of teaching and
learning regarding the religions of African Matrix. We reflected on the practice of
religious education and the obligation to teach Afro-Brazilian and African History and
culture in public and private schools from elementary to high school. This is a
qualitative study, with the use of bibliographical, documentary and semi structured
interviews. The research had support in the idea of social transformation. We noticed
that the Public Schools of the Municipal Network of Recife have a practice of
pedagogical reflection on Law 10.639/03. A series of measures were adopted to
assure the resignification of the school curriculum and the sessions for the
knowledge of the history of Africa and the Afro-Brazilian scenery. However, most of
the students of Recife's Municipal Teaching Network practiced popular
Protestantism, a fact that made it difficult to implement the Law, since many came to
their churches with a pre-conceived view of the religions of the African matrix. On the
other hand, it should be noted that many teachers are unaware of the Law and the
understanding of Afro-Brazilian history and culture in schools. Those who know it are
the ones who are most present and included in the continuing formation offered by
the Municipal Network of Teaching or are engaged in political movements.