Brazzil

The lack of a social conscience impedes us from having the collective political will to change. This is why it is so difficult to bring about the educational revolution in Brazil. It is not because we lack the know-how; it is because we still have not convinced ourselves that it is necessary.

Well, you're right. But why don't you shut the f**k up and do something!

you have the power so why dont you do something about it

instead of puting the same storie up every three weeks

do what needs to be done or quit your job

Even water and sewerage is not available to everyone.....in Brazil !
And your public service like water and sewerage is not only NOT available to everyone...but also of very poor quality !
And to the question "why arent we ?"....the answer is ....."because you are Brazilians, trying to cheat one another, and that a promise is cheaper than delivering the promise"

As per a test made by Jornal Hodge (Brazilian....to my knowledge) made with students from 34 other countries, their own conclusion is quite clear : they ranked Brazil.....LAST !
Sorry....for YOU....Brazil ! You shine again....at the queue !
You know that if I had to rank the countries, I would not even had allowed Brazil to participate in the test !!!!!

Funny that Lula the illiterate is saying the exact opposite !
Brazil is certainly not a country of the future, but a country with perpetual promises....that they will never ever deliver...as usual !!!!!
Was the road pavement of BR 163 not been promised for the last 30 years...and not yet totally paved.... today ?

A short note to AES : on your great sources of number of patents, have you not been able to figure out by now which country is ranked FIRST on patents per 100'000 capita....and the one ranked LAST ??????
Or too shameful for you to reveal the ranking ?

On the other hand the "educated ?" Buarque is wrong when he wrote "for us education is value valued less than the investments in the economic infrastructure like energy, transportation, highways, ports, airports, banks, and also less than consumer goods."

Look at your infrastructure in transportation, highways, ports, airports ! Even in worse shape than your education system !

and his comments that you value education less than consumer goods, the answer is....DEAD WRONG....due to your HEAVY IMPORT TAXES !!!!
I just remind you that the Apple Ipod is the most expensive in the world...IN BRAZIL.....as per an Australian Bank survey, published all over the world medias, and available if you surf Internet by simply typing.....Ipod Brazil....if you dont trust me as usual !!!!!!!!

A near similar conclusion could be made for PCs, being more expensive in Brazil than in developed countries....simply due to HEAVY IMPORT TAXES ! Yesssss Brazil is taxing heavily the goods that are supposed to educate your citizens and needed for the country development !!!!!!

Viva Brazil, the World Biggest and Stinkiest.....Tropical Mud !

I've read some of Paolo Freire's books, including accounts of his efforts in Brazil. Of course, he also worked with other educators and professors to make changes. Is there any after effect of his efforts? Or were these forces discussed in this article so strong that as soon as he left the scene things went on as before?

You are a bean counter. A statistical clerk. How many tons of cocoa or coffee or sugar per 100,000 population are supported in your paradigm. How many planes per 100,000 do you produce, that would be none. The bottom line is that Brazil can buy you ten times over. Brazil as a nation (not as divided by the individuals comprising that nation) has the 6th largest economy in the world. . .Switzerland the 16th. But for such a small country you are to be commended, you are over achievers. . .a dull boring population, anaseptic, impecably clean, well scrubbed, a mono culture void of color, mono chromatic humanity, inbred, rigid. . .downhill skiers, making something out of nothing. After thousands of years your mothers can be proud of you.

You are a Brazilian in disguise!! You hate Brazil, because you had to leave...and as AES says "your" country is, as he says very nicely, is monochromatic s**t. Get crazy, say some crap,BUT my uncle is Swiss, not naturalized as you are, and he hates the boring, downhill skiers...blood money runs "your country", the worst of the worst is inside your banks. Get a life, stop being so hypocritical. Brazil has s**t loads to do, people like this stupid a*****e, Christovam Buarque does ZERO to help, he comes up with this crap every 3 weels, and he has a PHD in economics, so do I at this rate!! People like him are the scum bags of Brazil. We all know the reasons for the low education, low pay, low, low..... Keep the country in a state of trance, elect a president with less education than my kids, and there you have it, a recipe for disaster.You, dear, don't bring anything new to the table...

Christovam, why don't you go and f**k yourself and do something decent for this country? Ah, I see, my familie's taxes are keeping you nice and rich. Bo, you are my hero today!

is a f**king monkey-spanker.If he had instead of hot air some cold determination, he'd be doing something and not talking.But old lefty habits die hard... he was cast from the same general mold as Bin Lula... both just talk.The difference is in their education, not in their actions.

You are a Brazilian in disguise!!

Shelly,I knew you were very smart. He is a real Jekyll & Hyde. A real frustrated Brazilian .Keep him talking.

Brazilian Dude, put two and two together.

The honorable senator is like a cancer that has metastasized, only through deep chemotherapy and surgery we'll eventually, with hope, get rid of this disease. I am sick and tired of hearing this idiot coming up with s**t like this. He needs to get his ass of the couch and do something to help.

He says: "For four reasons. The first is cultural. We - the elite and the masses - are not a people with the vision and sentiment that education is a fundamental value. For us, education is, at the most, a public service, like water and sewerage, valued less than the investments in the economic infrastructure like energy, transportation, highways, ports, airports, banks, and also less than consumer goods. No Brazilian family would buy a television in a store that looked like the school where the family leaves its children".

I say: This is total nonsense. The Brazilian people, the masses as he likes to say, need to work in order to keep food on the table. It is a matter of survival and the poor are desperate to send their kids to school. Don't trust this son of a B, my dad and I are witness to this sad episode in our country. Please, do what you can, support the good organizations in Brazil, spend time helping those in need and I guarantee you will see in the eyes of a child, the same hopes and dreams of an American kid. Do we glorify beauty? Tell me a country that doesn't. Who am I to judge? I bet his wife has had a few plastic surgeries...

Christovam, GET A JOB BLOODSUCKER!

DOES seem to have a ...challenged English for someone who supposedly maneges 400megabucks...
Maybe he should spend some of that on an English teacher...besides Zyprexa...

crap.

is a f**king monkey-spanker.If he had instead of hot air some cold determination, he'd be doing something and not talking.But old lefty habits die hard... he was cast from the same general mold as Bin Lula... both just talk.The difference is in their education, not in their actions.

Dude, I disagree from your views about our good and honorable senator and it was not kulturny on your part to call him as someone with hot air and other not so nice things.I think he has correctly spotted the wrongs in our educational system, though he has not come out with any solutions. May be he has some innovative solutions,but he is not willing to reveal them at this point of time (or never). Our fellow commentators are too harsh on him by saying that he comes out with articles on Education every 3 weeks or so and repeats the same thing PARROT like. They are all WRONG. In fact, he writes EVERY WEEK and he is doing us all a favor,keeping us focussed on education and I am happy to say that he is enhancing my knowledge.

So,Dude, I respectfully request you to stop criticizing the Senator and start paying attention to the important issues he is discussing in his articles-unless you are a member of the elite,masquerading as a common dude.

Wow!!!
A real blast from the past, tovarisch!!!
Maybe we should ornate the good senator's head with the Helmet to stimulate him to speak out?

I want to hear our distinct senator give us some of his ideas about education, be my guest...please if you wish, stop by my folk's house and they will take you to the Favela do Anil and maybe you can tell a parent while on tour, that we are all more worried about beauty than education. Also, go and have a conversation with my aunt in Quissama, a lady with 3 degrees, she can teach Biology, Math and Physics and earns a misery of salary. I could have written something more interesting..more real for those of you wanting to be more educated about the education system in Brazil. Teachers in Brazil are heroes, brave people and deserve a lot more respect. I am sorry, but we are waiting for this "revolution" for quite some time, I hope it will come in my lifetime. The abandonment comes directly from the government and our honorable man, has done what?? Nothing!

I have teachers in my family: one retired teacher in Brasilia, one (still working) in Quissama, one in Buzios and my cousin is finishing her degree and will be teaching in Cabo Frio. My mother is also a teacher, therefore our honorable senator should talk less and act more. We are all waiting for you Mr...Helloooo, I can't hear you...

Maybe we should ornate the good senator's head with the Helmet to stimulate him to speak out?

Comrade, curb your enthusiasm to conduct further research in this Hi-Tech field,because the funds at MEC have dried out (You know why).May be the good senator could help you to get some funding!

Dear Beloved Senator

A positive change in your attitude towards the Senator. Also right form of addressing our elected officials

We are all waiting for you Mr...Helloooo, I can't hear you...

I commend you for your valiant attempts to draw the Senator into a battle. But he is not going to accept your challenge

My experience is quite different. I live in England and recently visited some family friends in Rondonopolis, Mato Grosso. The friends live in a poor 2-bedroom house - for 5 people - on the outskirts. 4 blocks away was a state school constructed about 5 years ago. It looked immaculate, without any graffiti and of a high standard of construction. My friends' children attend the school. The two oldest children, aged 12 and 13, would practise maths using chalk on the gates in their back yard, and could easily solve quadratic equations (Ax**2 Bx C = 0), something my daughter only learnt at her school in England when she was 15. Their mother is attending night school studying pedagogy to become a teacher, a profession that, while still low-paid, is vastly more respected in Brazil now than it was 20 years ago.

The statistics confirm a huge improvement in educational standards throughout Brazil. IBGE's statistics dating from 1999 show a rate of 13% illiteracy, compared to 34% 30 years earlier. The availability of free eduction since then has increased dramatically with Lula's Fome Zero, and the illiteracy rate should now be well under 10%. It is fundamental to human nature that parents seek out a good level of education for their children, and Brazil is no different. What has prevented it is, as others have pointed out, extreme poverty. I find your article absurd and symptomatic of parts of Brazilian society who think their country is doomed to always have potential and never achieve it. Open your eyes and you will see that Brazil has transformed itself in the past 10 years and is finally realising its enormous potential. Education is a large part of the process.

I am a student in the U.S. and i am doing a project on Brazil. Been trying to keep up with the news, but how does the gov plan in improving education, when it has just announced to spend 3bn on a plan to take care of the crime rates.... you can't start with education if the people don't value it and are afraid to leave their homes because ONLY 124 people get MURDERED a DAY!!!!!! Also, why are they trying to change both crime and prevention as well as change the public opinion of education.. the gov is trying to tackle the 2 biggest problems AT ONCE....??? What are the best sites to find up-to-date and reliable news??

My positive tone was pure sarcasm. I don't think I should respect any elected official in Brazil. They want respect? Use my families tax money properly, be a good role model, be transparent and follow up with promises, then I may change my tone of voice. He does not deserve my respect and he vomits this sort of news, every week as you mentioned, and what does he do to change the problem? Nick, once you leave the big cities, you will see a difference in education. I can assure you that respect is seen and the schools are generally in better shape. However, I can only testify to those cities previously mentioned, but my guess is the quality of the education will vary from state-to-state, just like in America and England. My two older kids were born in Sussex, and the schools in West Sussex are fantastic. Go to London or in some other areas, the school buildings aren't up to par. In the States, the education in Florida isn't good, in D.C we have schools that resemble a war zone. However, we invest less than the States and the U.K. in education. Maria Renee pointed out to the 3bn money that will be spent to curb crime. This is going to be like a band-aid on a necrosed tissue. Spend the money improving the education, pay teachers well, revive our culture-which is so rich and diverse, and I guarantee we'll grow as a country and crime will be reduced. Crime will never disappear, but we have to empower the children in Brazil, they are the future of our country. The government has failed them, has failed to curb poverty, Fome Zero or Bolsa Familia is a band-aid, it will solve today's problem, tomorrow we'll think of something else, right?

You won't find any reliable news coming out of Brazil, the MULA Bin Lula government gives us (he is after all, someone with elementary education) fuzzy math and bogus statistical data in order to keep the polls up...sorry you will have to ask questions here and maybe we'll be able to help you...

My positive tone was pure sarcasm.

I understood you loud and clear,Shelly. I was sarcastic too,when admonishing the Brazilian Dude for his being "disrespectful" to the elected officials.

He does not deserve my respect and he vomits this sort of news, every week as you mentioned, and what does he do to change the problem? Nick, once you leave the big cities, you will see a difference in education. I can assure you that respect is seen and the schools are generally in better shape. However, I can only testify to those cities previously mentioned, but my guess is the quality of the education will vary from state-to-state, just like in America and England.

I didnt want to make any remarks on Nick´s comments earlier. Now that you mentioned, what amazed me was that Buarque made a big fuzz about the little girls in Joaçaba (SC), which is a small town and where the quality of education is very good.Just like the town Nick visited in MT. In general, the teachers in the small towns in the South are very good and the kids learn fast, because they dont have many distractions (like Carnival,beaches,etc. That is, in spite of the salaries of the teachers is much lower than that of a "porteiro" of a building. Still they dedicate themselves to education.

While, I agree with Nick about the kids in MT,being smarter in Algebra than those in good ole England, I contest his statement that the quality of education in Brazil is much better than it was 20 years ago.Nick is very naive in attributing Lula´s "Fome Zero" program to the great stride we have made during the past 10 years in the area of education.I dont think that Nick knows about Brazil much. The same thing applies to Buarque who doesnt want to go to the favelas of Rio,SP or other areas in North East to launch his "revolution" in education. But he comes to Joaçaba, to launch it! btw, I know Joaçaba well and the quality of education there and the teachers and the kids dont need any advice from Buarque.He should let them alone and launch his "revolution" in Amapa.

In case you consumed too much Ethanol last night and havent read the morning newspapers,here is a link you would find interesting:

http://www.estadao.com.br/

a)Do you think we can sponsor Shelly as a candidate for 2010? b) Were you aware that during the Military Government, the Brazilian economy grew for more than 12% a year and all the workers had jobs and there was no need for armed revolution.

Your comments on this interview would highly be appreciated

Sorry, the correct link is:

[urlhttp://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20070826/not_imp41136,0.php]

http://www.estadao.com.br/esta...1136,0.php

The numbers of the military government...let's be frank, dictatorship...are well known to me...
The thing is: the planning at the time was akin to logistical planning for a war (hey, military,right?), with goals, strategies, objectives...and a lack of worry about elections or polls.
Long-term planning, instead of four-year planning.
One of the same reasons China has the numbers it has.
At the time, the options were between a right-wing capitalist military dictatorship, or a left-wing soviet-controlled communist dictatorship.
All I have to do is look at history to know the lesser of two evils was chosen.(how many were sent to the gulag?How many did Pol Pot murder?And Mao?And Stalin? Etc,Etc...).
The interview is a load of bulls**t large enough to fertilize all ourcountry's plantations for a few years...
He skates around most questions, talking a lot and saying almost nothing.
But I think he means it when he says he won't try to have a third term.
He's scared.He knows he's at the end of his luck, and that his do-nothing style of government(government???) is becoming obvious.He knows a good part of society would not accept his raping the constitution like that.
If he were certain of having enough popular support, he would try.But he has spent his political capital with the less-uneducated and naiive voters, which might well become vocal in their protests at an attempt at perpetuating himself in power.
HOWEVER: If he thinks he has a good chance of getting away with it, he will try.What he says or does not say aren't worth a rat turd.All he does is blabber and lie.
We gotta watch his actions, and beware.
A for Shelly, I really like the Idea. Brains and character would be a welcome change in national politics.
And if anyone disagrees, we can always resort to the Lubyanka Catalogue.
All of this generic information is old news to you, but maybe some of the others here weren't around in those interesting times.
This is mostly for them.

Thanks for the comments.

The thing is: the planning at the time was akin to logistical planning for a war (hey, military,right?), with goals, strategies, objectives...and a lack of worry about elections or polls.

Right. To run a country is akin to running a large corporation and it needed to be done in our case. We had good brains with firm command and accomplished what we wanted (to modernize our country and grow economically). Needless to say, there were some collateral damages,but not as severe as in Chile and Argentina,but a tiny fraction of what happened in Soviet Unior or China.

But I think he means it when he says he won't try to have a third term.
He's scared.He knows he's at the end of his luck, and that his do-nothing style of government(government???) is becoming obvious.He knows a good part of society would not accept his raping the constitution like that.

My view coicided with yours,though some in the circle of my friends and relatives think he wants a third term.I think he is more likely to put a puppet there and pull the strings.When he talked about Cristina Ktitchner and Hillary Clinton, I got a big laugh!

All of this generic information is old news to you, but maybe some of the others here weren't around in those interesting times.

Right on the spot again. Those who were not around those times have to study a litlle more about our history. The reason I posted the link was for them to understand that with good leadership, long range planning and good people in chain of command, we could easily fix the problems our country.

Anyway,in spite of the inerview full of baloney,thanks for reading it and giving a good feed back.

Hey, I like the idea!!!

Well, as long as I don't get the same fate as Tancredo Neves...I don't think I would last a day in power!

Maybe same fate as Castelo Branco.

Hey, I like the idea!!!

I knew you would like the idea.I bet you would do a much better job than Dilma ,Marta,Denise,etc; Of course, the Brazilian Dude will gladly accept your invitation to be the Minister of Defense (He is very Kulterny,btw). As for me, I will prefer to be in the shaddow,wearing my white jacket (like a garção),but sitting in my dark cubicle and manoeuring the Hubble to keep track of your unlawful activities and CORRECT them.

As for your comment re Tancredo Neves, I dont think you would meet the same fate.Nobody remembers him any more.btw, he died of old age and there was no conspiracy (unless,Dude has some fresh Intel on this).

Maybe same fate as Castelo Branco.

Where did you spring from,if I may ask ya?

I was born in Long Beach, around Third and Long Beach Blvd.

As for Castelo Branco, Celso Tinoco II is still around but doesn´t want to talk about it.

I would make some deals with our friends in the north to get you a couple of UCAV's to have some fun with...
Having a squad of Reapers at your beck and call would considerably enhance your contribution to this country's well being...

I was born in Long Beach, around Third and Long Beach Blvd.

You dont have to confess,as we have a very thick file on ya and aware that your life is an open book to the public at large (except the shady deals you used to make when you were growing up as a little rascal in Long Beach-All sins forgiven and forgotten,naturally)

As for Castelo Branco, Celso Tinoco II is still around but doesn´t want to talk about it.

Castelo Branco was indeed a great guy (in my opinion) and I wish the Brazilian historians would come out with more info about the mysterious circumstances of his death.As well as that of Ulysses Guimarães.

I would make some deals with our friends in the north to get you a couple of UCAV's to have some fun with

Thanks. The UCVA´s are cheaper to buy from the East (not the Chinese made ones),though. Remember, I believe in negotiating with our vendors to cut the cost down and turn them into our allies (to save the tax payers´s money)

are still having trouble with UAV's, and don't have any UCAV's yet...the monopoly is still with the USA....
We tell'em they're for use against Chevez's SU-30's and H-24 HINDS...

Well, he didn't die of old age...he died APPARENTLY of an abdominal complication, right? As for Castelo and Ulisses...you know if you want to get rid of someone in Brazil, send them off on a mission, preferably by helicopter


I think it is time for Brazilian historians to re-visit the so called "accidents", put pressure on the military to come up clean on this issue. I suppose this is wishful thinking on my part.

"Morreu em colisão aérea no Ceará, em 18 de julho de 1967, quatro meses depois de deixar o governo. Uma estranha colisão, dessas de acontecem uma em um milhão. O choque aconteceu com um avião militar, fora da rota, longe do tráfego aéreo e nenhuma das aeronaves arremeteu para evitar o acidente.
O "Painel" da Folha de São Paulo, em 16 de julho de 1988, publica uma nota intrigante. Diz ela: "João Wamberto, que foi secretário de Castelo Branco revela: no dia de sua morte (18-7-67), em desastre aéreo, o ex-presidente havia comunicado a ele, pelo telefone, que decidira romper o silêncio e comentar a grave crise política que o país atravessava, então sob o governo Costa e Silva. O avião de Castelo caiu em conseqüência de choque com um jato da FAB."

Acidente ou não, o desaparecimento de Castelo Branco se insere entre outras mortes, igualmente estranhas, que ocorreram durante o período militar, entre elas a de Juscelino Kubitschek e a do próprio marechal Costa e Silva. Mas História não se escreve em cima de suposições, colocadas aleatoriamente no processo. O único fato concreto, neste caso, é que Castelo Branco morreu no choque entre duas aeronaves, numa das quais ele viajava."

http://www.pitoresco.com.br/hi...bl403x.htm

How can CB put up an article on why education is not important in Brazil?

He was the minister of education! - what did he do? NOTHING!

Of course, it is not his fault - it's a "cultural problem"

who are you f**** arrogant gringo american to have always comments upon Brasil. I assume you are from the States. What is the reason, do you live in Brasil or something else. I am from The Netherlands ( Europe ) and I can tell you Brasil is a fantastic country with very nice and friendly people with different ethnic backgrounds, Arabs, Jews,Chinese, Koreans, Europeans and Africans, from all Continents. Brasil is an example for the world, people are living in peace and good harmony. There is no terrorism, nature disasters like hurricanes and tsunamis etc. I was there several times and I am looking forward to go back in November/December ( Summertime ). There is no discrimination and racism because there is a law
which forbid this. Violence is all over the world. Don't point out to Brasil all the time. So, look to your own country and in the mirror.The U.S. imagine to be the policeman of the world, Big brother is watching you.But there are also a lot of misunderstandings just as in Europe. .You know, there is a saying: Brasil, the country of the future and that will always be. So what. They are trying to change in their way and we, as the first world, don't need to teach them to do it in another way.
They can do it by them selves. So, Mr. Ch.c this is my comment and do what you want with it but don't blame Brasil all the time. I don't like that. Viva Brasil, here we come !!!!!
Brasil is my favourite and 2nd home country.
I am waiting for your comment.

I am waiting for your comment.

I guess you are waiting for Ch.c´s comment. You dont have to wait for too long.Will be coming very shortly.

This project completely relies on current news coming out of Brazil. You mentioned that once you get out of the cities the opinion on education changes? It is more repsected? i don't exactly know how the system of government there is different from ours either. I have 2 good friends who are native Brazilians studying law and diplomacy and they mentioned the differences, but i need some thing more concrete. Is there a public school system run by the fed gov and state gov or is it completely on state level??

I have 2 good friends who are native Brazilians studying law and diplomacy and they mentioned the differences, but i need some thing more concrete. Is there a public school system run by the fed gov and state gov or is it completely on state level??

If you have 2 good friends who are native Brasilians studying law and diplomacy, why ask Shelly these questions? These "2 good friends" should be able to give you plenty of info.

However, if you want to hire Shelly Inc,we will be delighted to clarify your questions.We give the lowest quote for our Consulting services on education among other things.

In Shelly Inc,the entire world trusts.

btw, are these "2 good friends" of yours legals or illegals?

This is how the public education is funded in Brazil. It is very similar to the US, ex. states that have less jobs and less taxes being payed will have less funds, schools therefore will be at disadvantage when comparing to better funded states. However, one has to look at this carefully, because some schools in the State of Rio de Janeiro, have more funds being given and perform badly on local exams. A lot of variables are at play here...I am talking about poverty, both parents being at work, etc...Buzios recevies less money, however the schools over there are excellent. My aunt knows every single parent and they are all into their kids education.

On the federal level:

Rede de Ensino Federal--they are responsible for all 3 levels (you will see it shortly) and some universities. They fund 100% of the education costs. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and other federal universities are funded in this manner (I am not sure about private donations, someone can share a light on this one, please do so). Military college, Colegio Pedro Segundo, Technical schools and SENAC are also funded by federal money.

Rede Estadual: are responsible for the high school education, also receives some money from federal government.

Rede municipal: from Kindergarten to middle school --- 5 a 8 serie
Municipalities receive funding from federal government and state. If you had a chart, you would be able to see the relationship between federal, state and municipal schools. It usually goes from top to bottom, like a hierarchy chart with some level of communication and funds going between the other two.

Also there are private universities and they are funded 100% by the students, the federal government (while I was growing up, maybe it changed) does not fund these institutions.

Universidade Estadual: These are state universities, they receive funds from the state and federal government.

Hope this helps...

Sorry, I forgot to mention CH.C. in my comment which was directed to him.

I would assume my friends are legal.... I don't know! i didn't exactly know i had to ask. They are very hard to get in contact with on a regular basis, or i would use them as a central source. Also, i could not only use them because they may have a biased opinion. i need more than that. email me about the quotes on services... italialunaedea@yahoo.com. I met them while taking a class at the University of Notre Dame. They are very intelligent, i just wish i could rely on regularly spaced updates. Where are ya'll located in Brazil?

Thank You Shelly very much. I appreciate it. I still need to decipher it a little more just b/c i am not widely informed of the funding process of schools. But this definitely helps differentiate from the U.S.

I am not in Brazil, but here in VA. I will email you...Not I problem!

there is no progress in brazil until brazilian accept themselves the way they are.
it's ugly to see Brazilian people writing CHAMO-ME or VI-O, no Brazilians speaks this way- it's ME CHAMO / VI ELE.
There's no use copying Lisbon Portuguese. You're Brazilian, respect your Brazilian dialect, forget about Lisbon Portuguese,
don't be copycats, be original.

Why is education lacking? Because at Vestibular, the main criteria is grammar and writing...Wake up, it's not 19th century.
Vestibular should be about Informatics, Math, Biology, English, Modern Linguistics, not about medieval grammar rules (like CHAMO-ME, VI-O)
that have never been used in Brazil in 1st place...Wake up from your medieval dream.

I am an American in the educational technology community for 20 years. To say i was shocked by the primary education system in Brasil is an understatement. It is appalling state of affairs when some lower middle class friends kept their child out of the public schools until they could afford a private school. The basic education and the school setting is that bad. In an effort to provide my services to integrate technology into the educational system, I met with a number of government and NGO’s and discussed the situation. My suggestions were met with a yawn and complete lack of action. And the school situation gets worse. Education is the key to success in any country. Thomas Jefferson, a founding father of the USA was so passionate about education he said that one cannot have a democracy without an educated population and he started the University of Virginia. A rather large commitment and an act of willingness to get involved that is lacking in many other countries. My hope is that the people in power see the light soon, and make basic education the priority it deserves to be.

Thank you so much. email me soon, i have so many questions. Thank you for being so helpful so far...

it's all about heritage. Portuguese colonial ruler didn't give a damn about education...
Unlike English and Spanish who opened many universities in Northern and Central America during their colonial history.
1st universities in Brazil were opened only in the beginning of the 20th century!

This site has been extremely helpful as I am preparing a presentation regarding Paulo Freire, education and how it can be related to other exclusions in schools. Of how it can be used as an instrument for social-structuring etc... I like some of the comments too