Education improving all the time

Brazilian education is one part of life that has improved enormously since Bob and I were here last.  In the 1990s President Cardoso introduced reforms to school funding which mandated minimum per-pupil spending and teacher salaries, made a huge difference in the poorest areas. His government also started to pay poor families to keep their children in school. The current president, Dilma Rousseff is continuing and extending both policies.

Can you see from this picture what I notice that this is a country of young people. 26% are under 14 and only 6% over 65!  (that was 2yrs ago).  Children start school at 6 and it is compulsory until 14.  In secondary school, if you don't reach the proper level at the end of the year you have to repeat the year.

Here's a typical Primary School class

as you see - in every school Sport esp football is extremely important

Fun Fact :-  In her first year as President Sra Dilma Rousseff was elected "WOMAN OF THE YEAR" by a leading Brazilian magazine.  Vast majority of those we speak are pleased with how she's doing - though of course nobody will ever be totally satisfied. Here she is:-


Tomorrow Elsa and I go to Rio de Janeiro. Will be in touch from there.  It's great to be able to contact you like this.
Tchau!
Lyria