Brazil has the 6th largest economy in the world and is almost half the size of South America. Brazil is known for its great number of natural and mineral resources, metropolitan cities and has become one of the most powerful nations in the world. Despite these accomplishments, Brazil has a large number of students who are not receiving adequate education due to Brazil’s poor public school system. Currently the average years of schooling for an adult is 4 years. How can this be? How can a nation who is great in just about everything fall so short with it comes to education?
Key facts about Brazilian education.
- The education system in Brazil is a collaborative organization between the federal, state and municipal government organizations. Brazil has 26 states and the Federal District
- Elementary school in Brazil is free in all state schools and compulsory for all citizens between the ages of 7 and 14.
- Secondary education is not compulsory, but it is free
- 12% of government spending is on education
- 16 percent of the population between the ages of 15 and 19 attend secondary school
- Brazil is known for quality in their higher education and has a respectable amount of universities
- 16 percent of the population has some level college education
