Education and Training in Brazil
Overview
The education sector in Brazil is ranked as the 10th largest sector in the
economy, and generates about US$75 billion per year. Brazil has 51 million
students in the basic education system (which includes pre-school, elementary
and high school), and around 6 million students are enrolled in university
courses. Approximately 75% of graduate students go to private institutions,
generating US$12.5 billion per year. In 2015, 10 million students will be in universities,
many of whom will be supported by Federal Government loans (with FIES loans, students
finance up to 100% of their education, while with PROUNI loans, public school students
finance up to 50%).
The education sector is one of President Rousseff’s highest
priorities. Brazil, a vast country with continental dimensions, faces many
challenges and needs to deliver a high standard of education for its population
so that the country can continue on its growth trajectory. For that reason, the
government of Brazil is investing in a wide range of educational programs. The
government's Scientific Mobility Program (formerly called “Science without
Borders”), will provide 101,000
scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students from Brazil for one year of
study at colleges and universities in the United States and other foreign
countries. The program’s specific focus is on promoting scientific research,
increasing international cooperation in science and technology and initiating
and engaging students in a global dialogue through international education. The
education sector has grown exponentially in recent years in Brazil, and
industry specialists project that it will continue to grow in the coming years
driven by the stable economy and the growing middle class. In the past 5 years,
26.1 million Brazilians have risen from poverty and this newly emerging class
is eager for training, higher education, and vocational courses.