Brazil Slides on Education Plan Targets

08/10/2017 - 10h33

With the worst results in international student assessments, Brazil is sliding in the implementation of National Educational Plan (PNE) targets.

In all, there are 20 overall targets, subdivided by the type of commitment and timeframe, staggered until 2024.

Of these, 30 have timeframe limits for the years 2015, 2016 and 2017, but only six have been met, according to a study by the PNE Observatory, an umbrella organization for the area.

Among the goals not met is one that calls for the enrollment of all children aged 4 to 17 years old in school. According to data from 2015, at that time, there were still 2.5 million children in this age range not enrolled.

EXPLANATIONS

Among the reasons given for the delay is the economic crisis. "When the plan was approved, there was the expectation that we would be able to use part of the royalties from petroleum", says Maria Helena Guimarães de Castro, Executive Secretary of MEC (Federal Education Ministry).

In a written note, Michel Temer's (PMDB Party) government blamed the Dilma Rousseff (PT Party) administration, of which he was Vice-President, "for failing to meet all the goals for June 2016".

Former Education Minister Aloísio Mercadante confirmed in a written note that the PNE represented a historical achievement and that, during his management, MEC created a process office, which was responsible for the detailing of goals and strategies.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

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