Education
ABOVE: Children studying at Spectaculu, an NGO that offers Media courses to young people here in Rio.
The Rights to a “free and compulsory” education aimed at “the development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities” (CRC Articles 28, 29) are clearly stated in both the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Statute of the Child and Adolescent. The necessity of these rights to a child’s development towards adulthood, and to becoming an active and contributing member of society, have been clear to human and children’s rights scholars since the original Universal Declaration of Human Rights was drafted by the United Nations in 1948. The ECA guarantees these same rights in articles 4, 53, and 54.
Here in Brazil the National Economy is currently booming, in theory this economic growth should eventually spread throughout the country and help alleviate the country’s poverty and inequality problems. While this idealistic view is certainly contingent on a variety of factors, the education of Brazil’s youth going forward needs to be a top priority for government and civil society if this dream is ever going to be fulfilled.
One project here in Brazil aimed at promoting Education is Bolsa Familia. Simply stated, the program was implemented in 2003 by President Lula in collaboration with the World Bank, and aims to lift families out of poverty by giving them small subsidies to buy food and other essentials. In exchange for these subsidies, the families are required to keep their children in school. While this program does have its critics, its general goals to narrow the inequality gap by lifting society’s worst off populations through educational efforts is certainly a step in the right direction.
Further Reading:
Below is a link for a recent article from the New York Times about Brazil’s recent economic resurgence. The article highlights the Bolsa Familia program as being a powerful tool in bridging the country’s inequality gap.
Strong Economy Propels Brazil to World Stage
We’d like to hear our readers suggestions and comments about the Educational System here in Brazil. Below is a link for an article from comunidadesegura about one particular educational program in Salvador, Bahia.
From pre-school to the job market
Links in reference to the above article:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights