Career Guidance & Job Opportunities

Education System

The educational system of Brazil has been divided into three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary (higher education). Adult education and literacy programs play an important role in the supplementary educational system. The language of instruction, as required by law, is Portuguese. Brazil has a literacy rate of 81 percent. In Brazil, formal education is the responsibility of the government and all institutions, public and private, look to the central government for the final answer on educational questions. Educational programs must be approved by the appropriate government agencies; such approval is somewhat similar to the U.S. concept of accreditation.

The third level of education is composed of universities, federations and independent institutions. The length of the academic programs in institutions of higher education varies from two to six years. In most universities, students register for courses with a central agent, the General Secretariat of Programs, which resembles a U.S. institution's registrar's office.

Undergraduate degree programs last from two to six years, leading to a bacharellicenciado (teaching), or a professional title (licenciado, medico, contador, etc.). Graduate programs consist of two-year programs leading to a mestre (master's) degree and four-year programs leading to a doutorespecialização (certificate level), a professional graduate non-degree program usually completed prior to a full master's. (non-teaching) degree, (doctorate) degree. There is also the

The Ministry of Education and Culture requires that all university students take a basic cycle of studies in either humanities or science. The basic cycle, taken in the first two years of higher education, is designed to fill in gaps of knowledge, give career information, teach basic knowledge for the proposed major field of study and provide general cultural background.

In the humanities area, all students must take courses in scientific methodology, Portuguese language, and physical education, in addition to the basic courses in the chosen field. Requirements in the science area include first-year calculus, introductory physics, general chemistry and physical education. This cycle also includes the required basic courses in the chosen field. Following the basic cycle, the student enters the professional cycle of undergraduate courses. This includes a number of required courses, plus the choice of certain optional courses in the field. Little time is allowed for electives in other fields, and diversified study is generally not encouraged.

The academic school year normally runs from March through November. The year is divided into two semesters with some institutions also offering courses during a summer term (January and February). Some institutions, especially those that have large enrollments and are located in urban areas, offer three "shifts" of classes each day - in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Classes
The Brazilian student traditionally spends many more hours in class per week than a student at a U.S. institution. In the classroom, lectures are the most common teaching method used, and, in some institutions, the only approach followed. Brazilian students rely heavily on the professor as a resource as, at times, he is the only source available.

The traditional method of learning has been for the student to take down everything the professor says and then to repeat this on the examination. This approach is, however, undergoing rapid modification. The normal full-time course load per semester is six or seven courses; the minimum course load permitted is two. Each course carries a fixed number of credits and is completed in one semester.

There is little uniformity regarding the number of credits granted per course. The weight or credit attached to each class varies with the institution, as does the total number of credits required per semester. In most cases, courses are assessed for a higher number of credits than they are in the United States. Therefore, a full-time student will take between 25 and 35 credits per semester.

Grading
There is no uniform grading scale used in all Brazilian institutions. Many use a system based on a 0-10 scale (with 10 being the highest); others may use letter scales, similar to those found in the United States. Grading scales may even vary within each institution. Variance also occurs in regard to the grade point average required for graduation. The reform laws enacted in 1971 do, however, require that students attend at least 75 percent of the classes for a given course in order to take the final examination. Missing a final examination results in flunking the course.

Grading is fairly severe. The top grades are awarded to relatively few, and the failure rate in a given course can be high. Contrary to the U.S. system, there is little stigma attached to failing. In the basic cycle, a failure rate of up to 50 percent is common; in the professional cycle, failure rates of up to 30 percent in individual courses are not uncommon. A student may repeat a course twice. The majority of students receive grades in the "average" range. What is considered most important is simply passing the course, not necessarily achieving a high grade. More Info from Site 1>>

PRINCIPLES, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

a) General Principles

The principles established in the 1988 Brazilian Constitution are the t guidelines for national education, according to which education is a right for l all, duty of the State and of the family, and is to be promoted with the collaboration of society, with the objective of fully developing the person, preparing the individual for the exercise of citizenship and qualifying him/her for work."

The Federal Government is in charge of legislating on Guidelines and Bases for national education, coordinating and developing National Educational plans, and providing technical and financial assistance to the States, the Federal District and the Municipalities for the development of their educational systems and for priority assistance to compulsory schooling.

The Federal Government's role mentioned above does not exclude the responsibility of the States to, in their own sphere of action, legislate concurrently and suppletorily on matters related to their own educational systems, provided that the federal legislation is respected.

b) Aims and Objectives

The general aims and objectives of national education are expressed in specific statutory laws.

The National Educational Bases and Guidelines Law enacted in 1961 (Law no. 4.024/61, later amended by other statutory laws, no. 5.540/68, 5.692/71 e 7.044/82) is the tool which regulates aims and objectives, means and powers of educational actions.

By constitutional determination regarding the educational system, the aforementioned legislation still applies as long as it does not go against the Constitution. This ambiguity is a consequence of the absence of a new Bases and Guidelines Law and characterizes a transition phase until the new law is finally elaborated and enacted. The bill has already been submitted to congress.

According to the Bases and Guidelines Law still in force, "national education, inspired in the principles of freedom and in the ideals of human solidarity, has the purpose of:

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understanding individual rights and responsibilities, as well as those of citizens, the State and other community groups;
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respecting man's dignity and fundamental freedoms;
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strengthening national unity and international solidarity;
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integral development of the human personality and his/her participation in the work towards common welfare;
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preparing individuals and society to master scientific and technological resources which will allow the use existing possibilities to common welfare;
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protecting, disseminating and expanding cultural heritage;
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condemning any unequal treatment resulting from philosophical, political or religious belief, as well as any social classes or racial prejudices."

The general educational objectives are conceived in relation to the degree of maturity and the age group of the student. Thus, the current legislation defines distinct objectives for the different educational grades.

Fundamental 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.

The new Constitution does not set age limits: it determines that education is compulsory, aiming at providing the necessary structure to the development of the students potential as an element of selffulfillment, training for work, and conscious exercise of citizenship.

Intermediate education is also free in public schools, although is not compulsory; it aims at the full development of adolescents, including the elements which make up the objective of fundamental education, as well as training for work, depending on the choice of each educational institution.

Higher education aims at the development of the sciences, arts, qualification of professionals at university level, research and specialization and is equally free at public schools and universities.

ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE

a) Educational levels

The Brazilian Educational System is divided into three levels: fundamental, intermediate and higher education, the latter comprising two different levels: undergraduate and graduate. Preschool or infant education is added to this hierarchical structure, for the purpose of providing assistance to children under 7 years of age.

Any youth or adult who did not follow or finish regular schooling at the appropriate age has the possibility of making up for the delay by attending courses and suppletory examinations customizing the mode of education to this special type of student.

Besides regular education, other modes of education are offered, such as suppletory education which substitutes and complements regular schooling, providing permanent education.

The regular school year in Brazil, independently of the calendar year, covers a minimum of 180 days of effective work, excluding tests and exams, according to the current Education Law. The new National Education Bases and Guidelines Law establishes 200 school days.

More Info from Site 2.