Subjects about the study of DNA have been highlighted in high school curriculum components. According to the normative guidelines of the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and the Curricular and Pedagogical Proposal for Secondary Education of Amazonas state -PCP/Seduc-AM, the implementation of biology classes that involving knowledge of molecular biology, biotechnology, genetic code, mutations, engineering genetics and transgenics have become indispensable for students in order to develop scientific literacy. The present study investigated the perception of a group of teachers from public education of Itacoatiara-AM about the importance of studying DNA, considering the skills and abilities proposed by the national guidelines for education. This is qualitative research using a questionnaire with conceptual questions and an interview. The results showed that the teachers have knowledge of the basic principles of molecular genetics and also of the skills and abilities proposed by the BNCC. They reported using active learning methodologies and experimentation in the application of contents about DNA. Besides, teachers claimed the limited workload of Biology in the current school curriculum as the main difficulty for teaching and learning this content. We point out the need for continuing education courses that promote updating and improvement of pedagogical practices for teaching biology in accordance with the BNCC.
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