The Education System in Brazil

The standard of education in Brazil remains low. Besides problems of quality and access, it is also extremely unequal. However, in recent times a number of reforms have been put in place to bring about an improvement in the quality of education. New evaluation systems and testing methods such as the provão, the ENEN (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio), or National Secondary Education Examination and the SAEB (Sistema de Avaliação da Educação Básica), or Evaluation System for Basic Education also aim to enhance the capabilities of students at different levels.

The Brazilian Educational System is divided into three levels: fundamental, intermediate and higher education. Basic education is compulsory for all children aged 7 to 14 and free at all public institutions, including those who did not have access to school at the appropriate age.

There are three types of institutions of higher education in Brazil: Universidades (universities), Federaçoes de escolas (federation of schools), and Escolas isolades or faculdades (isolated schools), small schools offering only one or two programs of study.