Once elected governor of Bahia, Otávio Mangabeira invited Anísio to take office as State Secretary of Health and Education. Without hesitating, he leaves behind the chances of becoming rich as a trader, by resuming his fight for public education in his home state.Already in office as a state secretary, he strives to pass his school system organisation project through the Legislative Assembly. He makes the opening speech during the education debates held at the Bahian Constituent Assembly, in 1947. In the same period, he also founded and was the first secretary-general of the Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da Ciência na Bahia (Bahia Foundation for the Development of Science). His main purpose was to establish in Bahia, through long-term contracts, promising social researchers. He even signed agreements with UNESCO and Columbia University to that effect. Nevertheless, he was soon to be called back to the country's capital city, Rio.
