Discover 10 Facts About Education in Brazil

Like many countries, the Brazilian government values education. The Latin American country has thousands of educational institutions helping improve literacy. Moreover, the country has over 1.4 million educators teaching learners at all levels.

This post highlights ten other fascinating facts about education in Brazil. Read along to glimpse the country’s successes and challenges in tertiary, primary, and secondary education.

1. Brazil has High Literacy Rates in Latin America

Over 99.2% of the Brazilian population can read and write. The low levels of illiteracy make Brazil one of the countries with many literate citizens in Latin America. It ranks amongst other countries like Argentina, Panama, Costa Rica, and Columbia.

Brazil’s high literacy rates are a result of one central factor. Primary education in Brazil is free and compulsory. As a result, many citizens, even those from poor families, have access to primary education.

2. Brazil Underfunds Higher Learning Institutions

Brazil has around 2,457 federal institutes, universities, colleges, and technical schools. The higher learning institutions have approximately 7 million students taking undergraduate or postgraduate courses.

Although important, the institutions run under a tight budget. Not surprisingly, public schools in Brazil have inadequate staff and facilities. As such, Brazilian students in public colleges do not get the highest level of education.

3. Brazil has a High Dropout Rate

Brazil has some of the high dropout rates in primary, secondary, and tertiary education levels. For instance, Brazil’s dropout rate in primary education was 5.3% in 2019. Similarly, the dropout rate in secondary education was 18.6% in the same year.

The high dropout rates result from many factors. The leading ones are poverty and loss of interest in education. Furthermore, Brazilian authorities link the dropout rates to the high cost of education.

4. Brazilian Students Can Study Abroad

The government and employers recognize degrees from reputable institutions outside Brazil. For that reason, students can study in any college worldwide. While studying outside Brazil sounds expensive, it is not.

Brazilian students can find affordable colleges in Asia, Europe, and the US. Also, the students can find colleges in Australia, the UK, or Canada. Alternatively, students can learn online at universities like University of the People.

The online university has master’s, certificate, bachelor’s, and associate’s degrees. What is more? The UOPeople offers its programs online — students can learn from home. Other benefits of studying at UOPeople include:

• Free Tuition

Students learning at University of the People do not pay tuition fees. It is an inexpensive alternative for learners who cannot afford to learn in a physical classroom. Some students can get scholarships to cut down their study expenses further.

• Plenty of Programs

University of the People offers multiple programs on all levels. Students can take business administration, information technology, and education courses. Furthermore, students can take a course in health sciences and computer science.

5. A Degree Makes Job Seekers More Marketable

In Brazil, individuals with degrees earn more than job seekers without degrees. Why? A degree demonstrates that one is an expert in a particular field. As such, employers believe someone with a degree contributes more to a company’s success.

Additionally, Brazilians with a degree have more options for employment. It explains why Brazilian graduates get jobs more quickly than citizens who stopped at the secondary or primary school level.

6. Brazil Has Different Types of Schools

Schools in Brazil fall into three categories – private, public, or international.

Private schools have better facilities, skilled educators, and quality education. Mostly, private schools attract students from affluent families who afford their high fees. The government funds public schools. Therefore, the schools are more accessible to students from lower-income families. Since they get inadequate funding, the schools offer low-quality education.

International schools use a foreign curriculum, often from the US or UK. They have better facilities and offer high–quality education. Since international schools are expensive, they get students from wealthy families.

7. Brazil’s Education System has 5 Levels

Brazil’s education system has primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

Primary education is compulsory for Brazilians aged 7 to 14. At this level, students learn the fundamentals of reading and writing. They also study other subjects like science, history, and physical education.

The secondary level is for students aged 15 to 18. Brazil’s secondary education builds on what students learn at the primary level. It also introduces more specialized subjects like agriculture and languages.

Tertiary education includes university-level study and vocational training. Brazilian students pursue tertiary education to specialize in a particular field and increase their job prospects. Tertiary education is not mandatory.

8. Discrepancies in Education Start at the Early Childhood Level

Discrepancies in education in Brazil start as early as preschool. Parents have to choose between the maternal and Jardim categories. Although both preschools offer a similar service, they have different economic classes.

Maternal schools offer education to children aged between 2 and 5 years. These public preschools often have lower-quality infrastructure and resources. They serve children from less affluent families.

Jardim schools are similar to maternal schools – they cater to kids aged 3 to 6. They have modern facilities, giving students a more comfortable life. They serve kids from well-off families in affluent neighborhoods.

9. Brazilian Teachers Earn a Low Salary

Brazilian teachers earn low salaries in comparison to other professions. The average salary for a teacher in Sao Paulo is around R$7590 per month. But, the pay fluctuates depending on the specialization of teachers. For instance, tertiary education teachers, like those in universities, earn up to R$13,000. Other teachers, like primary school teachers, can earn as low as R$1,804. With the modest salaries, many teachers in Brazil struggle to make ends meet.

10. Brazil has Large Class Sizes

In Brazil, class sizes tend to be larger than in many other countries. There are a few reasons for this. Brazil is one of the most populous countries. As such, classes have to hold more students to accommodate everyone.

Another reason is the country’s limited resources. Despite the country’s population, it has a low level of education spending. Therefore, schools in Brazil hardly get enough to hire teachers and keep class sizes small.

Pursue High-quality Programs Online

Education in Brazil has a couple of challenges. Thus, studying in Brazil can be challenging, especially when pursuing higher learning. College fees are high, and some universities offer low-quality education.

Fortunately, you can study at an accredited university outside of Brazil. Even though there are several options to consider, University of the People is one of the most suitable — UOPeople offers its programs online. You can learn from the comfort of your home in Brazil. No need to spend more money on travel and upkeep in a foreign country. Contact us now to discover our programs or learn more about studying online.