Brazzil

Brazil needs a revolution. It is not enough that we maintain the old tradition of small adjustments, as we did in the 19th century by reducing the suffering of the slaves without abolishing slavery. We created economic development based upon protectionism and financial and technological dependency. We advanced without changing. It was as if we were horrified by course changes, by revolutions.

We reached the 21st century surrounded by two walls: one of inequality; the other of backwardness. No matter how much the economy grows, even with more ports and freeways, we will not succeed in scaling these walls. We will continue unequal, violent, backward in relation to the developed countries.

History has shown that, by itself, the economy does not construct an egalitarian, developed society. Therefore, now is not the time for a social revolution that would subvert the economic structure. We will need time to formulate a radical alternative of change.

But with a revolution in education we can tear down the two walls that encircle Brazil. This will not involve small adjustments - like Fund for the Maintenance and Development of Fundamental Education and Valorization of the Teaching Profession (Fundef) and Fund for the Maintenance and Development of Basic Education (Fundeb) - but, rather, a revolution demanding that the federal government take the following ten actions:

1. Concentrate the work of the Ministry of Education upon basic education - preschool, elementary and high school - transferring higher education to the Ministry of Science and Technology; and create a Federal Child Protection Agency, committing the federal government to K-12 education from early childhood.

2. Guarantee a space in the school closest to the home of each child on his or her fourth birthday and make high school education obligatory, extending it to four years and guaranteeing professional preparation.

3. Define three national floors for education: a salary floor, linked to the preparation and dedication of the teacher, with the approval of a plan of postings and salaries for teachers, including municipal and state ones; set a minimum standard for equipment and buildings, with a "federal certificate of occupancy" to authorize operation of the schools; set minimum learning content for each child in each subject in each grade.

4. Approve a law of educational guidelines along the lines of the Budget Guidelines Law (LDO) with goals to be fulfilled in each city and state, in addition to universalizing education through high school graduation, the establishment of full-day sessions in all schools, and the eradication of illiteracy.

5. Approve a law of educational responsibility, along the lines of the Fiscal Responsibility Law (LRF), to punish with future ineligibility the executive director who does not meet the established goals.

6. Reestablish the Ministry of Education's Secretariat for the Eradication of Illiteracy and its programs, defining the goal of four years for the eradication of adult illiteracy.

7. Reform the Bolsa Família, returning to it the concept of the bolsa-escola, the school stipend, with educational and administrative links to the Ministry of Education.

8. Improve the system of higher education, science and technology, defining short- and medium-term goals, combining the creation of knowledge with the needs of the country.

9. Create, under the leadership of the president, an environment that awakens a priority for education, just as President Juscelino Kubitschek did for industrialization.

10. Guarantee resources to supplement the municipal and state investments for teachers' salaries and preparation and the remodeling and equipping of schools, beginning with a reserve of an additional 7 billion reais (US$ 3.3 billion) per year, until reaching 20 billion reais (US$ 9.4 billion) in four or five years. That small percentage of the budget would bring an immediate reduction of expenses by lowering the rate of grade repetition and elevating economic productivity, thus increasing tax revenue.

With these ten actions, Brazil will initiate a revolution. Basic education is the only road to tearing down the wall of inequality, giving equal opportunities to all beginning in childhood; it is the only road to tearing down the wall of backwardness, permitting the construction of the capital of knowledge.

If Brazil makes this effort, in a few years we will have made the leap that has been denied to us. We will have made a gentle revolution. With pencils and not guns; schools instead of trenches; distributing knowledge instead of concentrating capital. Making the children the bearers of the future.

The revolution of the pencil is possible. It is urgent. Because we are beginning to hit another wall: that of the political culture that accommodates, that sees the future as small advances. It is this accommodation that unites the large parties into the same project, with small differences, that is making it so difficult to choose for whom to vote.

Cristovam Buarque has a Ph.D. in economics. He is a PDT senator for the Federal District and was Governor of the Federal District (1995-98) and Minister of Education (2003-04). He was a presidential candidate this year. You can visit his homepage - www.vote12.com.br - and write to him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Translated from the Portuguese by Linda Jerome - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comments (26)

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written by Ken, October 21, 2006

They need more than education. They need motivation. Brazil is an isolationist country. If there are more high paying jobs, then there is motivation to try to get these jobs through better education.

You need to open up your economy to the world. The politicians deceive you. Free trade is the answer to your problems.

An example:

A company in Brazil imports computer parts from the USA. The USA manufacturer makes money from Brazil. This is the place that your politicians will stop. They will tell you that you are making the USA rich and givning us more jobs. Here is the reality . . .

The company in Brazil imports these parts at about 1/2 price. As a result, they can sell computers at 1/2 the price. At 1/2 the price, the increase in computer sales grows expodentially. As a result the company needs to hire more people. They need educated people, and if there is a shortage, they will pay more.

All of these new employees that are paid well, spend their money. They buy cars, houses, stereos. They eat at restaurants.As a result, many other businesses start making more money. They need to hire more employees. Pretty soon, your unemployment rate drops.

Everyone wins. The more money that moves, the better the economy. You want more jobs, cheaper prices and more money changing hands. All of these businesses will need managers, that are educated. Those kids going to school will see that graduates get better jobs.

I hope that someday your country wil join the rest of the world, and import as well as export.

Buarque is dead right !
written by ch.c., October 21, 2006

And contrary to the previous post, it is not a poor education that will create higher paying jobs...by definition !
Learn first....and the more one learns, the more he will get paid ! An illiterate or a citizen who got only a basic education cannot make 5'000 to10'000 Reais per month....unless he steals or robs or participate in illicit trafficks !

And those who are educated will over time create jobs in their own enterprises or due to the development of the companies they work for !

Last November, the President of a country said : governments are not supposed to create wealth. Governments are supposed to provide an equal and positive environment for every citizen. And those who succeed...will have to pay back something to the government....through taxes !

This guy said it all !

Not every one will succeed even if everyone goes to University. But those who succeed will create wealth and jobs for the country if there is a positive environment. And trough taxes more money can be spent for yet a still better environment for everyone. And that is how a country and a society becomes more and more developed, generation after generation.....but not in 3 or 10 years !

I wrote to fast.....
written by ch.c., October 21, 2006

.....the previous post was right. except that motivation will come only when there is a positive environment.

Unfortunately, brazilian laws does not provide a positive environment, as Brazil is ranked 121 out of 185 countries in the last "doing business" ranking of the World Bank !
http://www.doingbusiness.org/default.aspx

And if one analyzes the rankings, the overall trend is that the better a country is ranked , the more wealthy a country is !

Yes there needs to be a revolution...
written by ButterBrown, October 21, 2006

...but education isn't at the top of the list. Brazil has to start becoming a country of inforcing laws. People can dream about educating the masses all they want, but unless you live in a country in which you feel safe, the education won't happen. Also education and nothing else will create a sitution which Brazilians would really hate. Imagine for once a whole generation of educated young Brazilians thrown into a work market that can't sustain them. You would have many educated Brazilians not having jobs, many jobs being stolen from middle age people with families, and many young educated Brazilians who can't get jobs. So the young, educated and jobless will do what the rest of the world does when faced this scenario, they will move to the US or Europe. Not to mention the ones who did get jobs and see half their paycheck going to a bloated and corrupt government, you think a highly educated person will stick around in those circumstances. Though it took a while, it brings me to my point. Brazil's revolution starts with becoming a country where the rule of law means something. Imagine once with me that Brazil elects a president who isn't afriad of political reprisal, assasination, or his son not making 4 million US$ while he's in office. Here's my top Ten things that Brazil needs to do:
1. Take every corrupt, thief of a politician and throw them in one of those famous overcrowded jails, so they have no chance for re-election.
2. Take the US$ 4 billion that will no longer be stolen by the government and biuld things. Like roads going to alot of new prisons.
3. Pay your police like you expect them to follow the rules. Give them high salaries and pension plans, but let them know if they ever become corrupt they loose everything. They lose there salaries there pensions and there freedoms(because they will be in jail).
4. Take that unused military and destroy all those little countries inside your big country. Destroy the Favelas. As long as there are favelas nobody will take the law seriously, and there will always be an education problem.
5. Instead of taxing the crap out of your middle class, institute a flat tax rate. A tax rate in which everyone gets taxed the same percentage as everyone else. This Tax rate can't be 50 percent either, this might take some getting used to, but government isn't there to surpress the people it's there to complement them. Try starting out at twenty percent and see where that takes you.
6. Institute a sales tax, and watch the money start flowing into the cofers. All this new found money in the middle class will be spent somewhere, not to mention all the money you will make from tourists on those beautiful beaches.
7. With all this new revenue start working on education. This is where the previous article should start from.
8. Open your markets. If companies feel safe, they will come, and with them JOBS.
9. Don't let Bolivia walk all over you, you will be a super power, you'll need to start acting like one. If they steal from you and threaten to take your territory go kick there ass.
10. Stop talking as if corruption was predestined on Brazil. God didn't bless your country with many natural beauties then curse you with corruption. He blessed you with free will, you do with it what you choose.

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written by Brian, October 21, 2006

Something else that needs to change are the Brazilian employer's view towards age. It seems that in Brazil, if you are 30 years old you are too old to be hired.

Here in the US many people are just getting their careers started at that age. Not only that but you see 70-80 year olds working in supermarkets and many other places. At that age in Brazil one can't even consider getting hired.

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written by gugudada, October 21, 2006

Interesting how some posters change sides as the moon changes phases

Bravo!
written by Adriana, October 22, 2006

Bravo!
Cristovam Buarque, I totally agree with you. Education is the only solution to Brazil. I was glad when I heard, you were to become a candidate for the presidential election. You gave me reason to do my voter registration in the consulate in SF. I was telling all my friends about you. I saw you neither being from the left or right, just focused on what is best for the country. I thought you were sincere.
You reminded me about the minister of education in FHC administration, Paulo Renato. I was in university in Brazil when he created the "provao" ( an assessement test to check student's learning, after graduation.)
I remember my classmates, the private university owners, and student moviments going crazy about the idea. Of couse, all of them had their own agendas. Then, Paulo Renato wanted to create another test, this time it was to check the professors. More people going crazy. From what I heard, ( although, I don't have data to support this) these tests turned out to be a good instrument to measure the knowledge of both students and professors.
The results of the first "provao" showed that public universities had a higher score, whereas the private universities had lower ( I don't remember the numbers.) And it was established that whichever university that would get the same lower score results for certain years ( I don't remember how many), that university was ought to be closed.
Personally, I think this was a good way to assess the quality of the higher education in Brazil, so that changes could be made. Many people gave him credit for that. In my opinion, these tests were only the begining of what he could have done.
Then, he launched himself as a presidential candidate. AND THE FACT THAT HE WAS AN OUTSIDER FROM THE "PROFESSIONALS" POLITICIANS IN BRAZIL, AND FROM THE "DIRTY" BRAZILIAN POLITICS. Somehow, ( here comes my conspiracy theory) his presidential candidateship got jeopardized. He had as far as I read at that time, honesty and a clean background.
The way I understood this was: ok, minister of education in Brazil don't stand a chance to ever become a president. NO WAY, HE IS GOING TO MAKE THE FUTURE VOTERS IN THIS COUNTRY, WAY TOO SMART, HOW WILL WE "DIRTY POLITICIANS" SURVIVE?....
Now Mr. Buarque, it seems to me that once more, nobody in our society really cared about the work you did or your ideas. What a sad thing!

Education... yes, but...
written by Gringo, October 25, 2006

Education is important, but if your economy is isolated from the rest of the world, then even if you have educated people, they will bag groceries at the supermarket.

Get the socialist burocrats out of governement, and reduce customs to normal rates for imports!

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written by a guest, October 26, 2006

So many "experts" posting here on what Brazil needs to do! Mostly a bunch of braindead, neocon parrots.

to Adriana
written by caraca, October 27, 2006

I agree with Gringo HERE. We Brazilians pay the highest interest in the world and people are interested that corrupt and inefficient public companies remain brasileirinhas.How about getting worried with 'aparelhamento do estado'- the state positions being filled with members of a 'political party'? Please, wake me up when this nightmare is gone.

To caraca
written by Adriana, October 27, 2006

Hi, Caraca.
I did not say anything about economics in my post. I only said that something needs to be done about education. And I still think it is the only solution to Brasil. My father understands the Brasilian economy better than I do, and everytime I talk with him on the phone he gives me all the details. He also thinks that some Brasilian companies are very inefficient for example "Banco do Brasil"( Brasilian national bank), Post office... And from what I read the "Compania Vale do Rio Doce" is on its way to become one of/or the largest in the world. we can only credit this success as a result of its privatization. I also read about some allegations that "Petrobras" sponsored some artists and musicians that are also envolved in Lula's campaign.
Economy is important, I don't deny its role. However, the tecnology "Petrobras" has does not come mainly from market, it comes from the research instituts, universities. And the achievement "Petrobras" obtained is due to decades of goverment policies and goverment subsides. Now, imagine this scenario Caraca, and answer me. If Petrobras was privatized some decades ago to a foreigner company, do you think they would be so willing to do what the Brasilian goverment has done? I doubt it.
See Petrobras in Bolivia. Some Bolivian people specially the natives are complainting that Petrobras has not yet delivered its development plans to the region. You see, Petrobras is mainly interessed in the Bolivian resources. Allthough, Petrobras still has time to do what is supposed to.
The funny thing is when I tell my father about this simple argument above, and he accuses me of not knowing what I am talking about, and says that Lula is going to damage the economy. All I wanted to tell him was privatization may be good in some cases, and it needs a carefull approach.
Caraca, are the people in Brasil either from left ( a growing number) and right ( my father) going nuts? I was shocked that for the first time I could not have a normal conversation with my father. He got upset at me and asked me if I was defending Lula. Jesus, I am not defending nobody!!! Who am I ? A poor student in the U.S. I don't even have an "agenda". I am afraid that we cannot talk anymore without being accused of something.
If Lula is going to damage the country like my father fears is because of lack of education. This can only happens if people don't know right to wrong, if they don't have critical thinking to analize what is best to the country. But where do they learn that? In schools and universities.
moreover, it is not just have a good education sytem, it is necessary to have good teachers as well. That is why I think "Provao" was a benchmark to Brasilian education. The idea of testing students and professors capabilities to elevate the quality by sorting out the good ones from the bad ones.
I will conclude by using The U.S. as an example. Do you have an idea of how old the major American universities are? They date back to the begining, to the colonization time. To my undertanding, The U.S. did not become a great country due to its economy, it was due to its education.
Thanks for reading this.

well, that was a nice post but...
written by caraca, October 27, 2006

Adriana

You may be right saying people accuse each other unfairly... I can say for myself that I ran accross other brazilians in this site who will vote to Lula, so I was just trying to make my point to them, hehe. Sorry, if this was not your case. Yeah, US have old universities but EU, Middle East and Asia have the oldest ones, for example the university of Cairo- Egypt, Marroco, Italy, China, England, France, Spain, Irak, Portugal Germay are all older than US universities. Mexico has the oldest one in the North America, Universidad Nacional Autônoma del Mexico, and the oldest one in the Americas is in Dominican Republic. But it I agree that the education makes the country, you know that Latin A countries have immense wealth inequality. The problem is that I just can't think of Lula and his propaganda based mostly on manipulation of the ignorance of people, that really sucks a big deal! All the best!

btw
written by caraca, October 27, 2006

I voted for Buarque but am still hoping Alckim wins. I think the needs a chance, he did a good job in São Paulo and Brasilia needs an efficient management I think. Read this email I got

Pessoal,

Não sou contra o bolsa-família, mas sim contra o modo como ele foi modificado pelo Lula. Assim como todos os projetos do governo do PT, não há uma contrapartida do beneficiário para com o Estado e com a sociedade. Isso faz com que o futuro do nosso povo seja jogado fora. Vou citar 2 exemplos que mostram a diferença que pode haver no Brasil. E para isso dependemos mais do que nunca no seu voto, para termos uma nova maneira de fazer politica no Brasil. Vote consciente.

Leia as informações abaixo e me diga: Quais programas vc acha mais correto??? Qual Brasil vc quer???


Tema: Assistência Social
Bolsa Família, do Lula: Ajuda financeira para familias carentes. Não há nenhuma contrapartida do beneficíario.

Beneficios: A familia tem uma renda para poder se sustentar.
Renda Cidadã, do Geraldo: Ajuda financeira para familias carentes. Para receber o benefício é preciso manter a carteira de vacinação das crianças de até 7 anos atualizada e as crianças de 6 a 15 anos na escola.


Beneficios: A familia tem uma renda para poder se sustentar. Além disso diminuição da mortalidade infantil, maior presença das crianças na escola e redução da evasão escolar. Isso faz com que a familia do beneficiário tenha um futuro mais promissor.


Tema: Educação

Prouni, do Lula: O ProUni é destinado à concessão de bolsas de estudo integrais e bolsas de estudo parciais de 50% (meia-bolsa) para cursos de graduação e seqüenciais de formação específica, em instituições privadas de ensino superior, com ou sem fins lucrativos.

Beneficios: O aluno pode cursar o nivel superior.

Escola da Família, do Geraldo: O objetivo é a abertura, aos finais de semana, das escolas Estaduais, transformando-as em centro de convivência, com atividades voltadas às áreas esportiva, cultural, de saúde e de qualificação para o trabalho. Os monitores são bolsistas universitários que ganham bolsa de estudo (50% paga pelo Estado e 50% paga pela Instituição de Ensino). Ou seja, para ganhar a bolsa a pessoa retribui com o seu trabalho e ajuda a sociedade. Como são escolhidos esses bolsistas: alunos que tenham cursado os 3 anos do Ensino Médio em escola pública, exclusivamente, da Rede Estadual e Municipal do Estado de São Paulo.

Beneficios: O aluno pode cursar o nivel superior. Além disso ele ajuda no desenvolvimento educacional de crianças, cria um sentimento de colaboração para os jovens bolsistas, ajuda a diminuir a evasão escolar, aumentar a prática de esportes e diminuir a violencia.

Jovens Acolhedores, do Geraldo: É um Programa da Secretaria da Saúde destinado à participação de universitários no Acolhimento de usuários das Unidades Públicas de Saúde, com o objetivo de investir no processo de Humanização da Assistência. Ou seja, novamente para ganhar a bolsa a pessoa precisa retribuir com seu trabalho e ajuda a sociedade. O bolsista recebe uma bolsa no valor integral, que será dividida entre o Governo e a instituição de ensino.

Beneficios: O aluno pode cursar o nivel superior. Além disso ele ajuda na integração e participação de estudantes universitários nos projetos inseridos em sua comunidade. O bolsista tem acesso a um conteudo formativo so br e diversos temas relacionados a Saude, Psicologia, Direito e Sociologia. Fora isso temos uma melhora no atendimento nas Unidades de Saude, Humanização no trato com os pacientes e melhora dos niveis de recuperação dos pacientes.

E tem gente que ainda tem coragem de dizer que o Geraldo irá acabar com o Bolsa Familia, com o Prouni... Fala Sério!!!

To Caraca
written by Adriana, October 28, 2006

Hi there!
Thanks for the information on the oldest universities around the world. But what I meant was universities in the U.S. were founded at the same time as the country was founded. They are old in relation to the time they were founded and the country.
Is good that you received an e-mail from Geraldo Alckmin. It seems that he has some plans for education. And I read that he did a good job in SP. Unfortunatly, Lula is misrepresenting Alckmin's ideas. Is very sad that Lula and Alckmin are focusing on accusing each other rather than their projects and plans for Brasil. Allthough, Alckmin wants to alert the voters about corruption. It reminds me of a friend in Brasil that wil vote for Lula, I asked her about the corruption, and she told me it did not start with Lula's administration. I think Brasilian voters are stuck, they don't have many options. It looks like Lula is going to win. So lets hope for the best. I tell my father and friends in Brasil that they don't need to worry because Lula does not have the majority in congress. He will need to work with the other parties in order to pass the bills he wants. Our democracy is still fragile but I think we reach the point where we can't go backwards anymore, by backwards I mean dictatorship.
So good luck on your vote tomorrow!

The Problem...
written by MG, October 29, 2006

The real problem in Brazil is the mixing of s**theads with good, smart people. There is NO solution for Brazil. It's too far into the hole. THe northeast invaded the south and made a mess of it. Too much ignorance, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
The good people are attacked by the bad and life goes on, in chaos. The only solution for Brazil is to a) take care of ALL the poor once and for all and TRY to educate them or b) get rid of all the trouble makers and start fresh.

adriana dinovo
written by caraca, October 29, 2006

What I am saying is that the world history is a bit older than USA universities. I just find you a "deslumbrada" in the glorious America. I do recognize the qualities of it and think you do have to learn the best it's possible, this is what most countries do, try to learn from the American success. But there is great history in Brazil (past and present) to be learned too, this country raised to its gigant position from the zero point too.

Caraca you don't need to call me a "deslumbrada"
written by Adriana, October 29, 2006

Hi
You don't need to call me a "deslumbrada", because you know nothing about me.
Remember that in my post above I said that people are quick to judge and accuse.
Maybe I did not make myself clear when I used The U.S. universities as my example, English is my second language and I don't have a perfect command, I make mistakes. I used The U.S. because I am living here for eight years, and I will transfer to an American university next year. If I was living in France I would have use France's great "universities" or in Britain's Oxford University or Sao Paulo's USP... and so on... as my example. My whole point was education and development go to together, it does not need to be in a specific place. I said The U.S. universities are old to The U.S., but if we compare them with the rest of the world, then you are right, they are not the oldest.
Yes, I know Brasil has a great History, you don't need to remind me that. But I also think World History is fantastic!
I don't only love Brasilian and American culture, I love Human culture. And I don't know everything about it, I am still ignorant about it, but I will learn because I am an open minded person. And I think you are too, well, until you called me "deslumbrada." That's ok, I know I am not.
Good luck on you vote today!

Hey Ana
written by caraca, October 30, 2006

You're young and have plenty of time to learn everything that you want. Human culture is awesome, I am sure you will learn the nice culture which also interests me. You definetely already has part of it, shame on me .Brazilians in US sound pretty deslumbrados that is why I said it. America does have a very nice and interesting culture you are more than rigth.

REFORMA GRAMATICAL JÁ JÁ
written by GAROTINHA MANERA, October 30, 2006

And simplify the Portuguese grammar: it doesn't make any sense to use Portuguese rules
which don't reflect Brazilian usage, for example writing CHAMO-ME when no one in Brazil
ever use it, it's ME CHAMO. 19th century grammar should be updated to 21th century BRAZILIAN usage.
It will make VEJAreaders cry, but after all, if one had asked VEJAreaders in 19the century about
Portugal, all of them would have prefer Brazil still being a Portuguese colony. :-

...
written by miradora, October 30, 2006

Why don't you go apply for an language university position and try to change a Lingua Portuguesa? All readers in Brazil of 19th century did prefer Brazil to remain a colonial country, those who produced the Proclamação da República too!!!!! C

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written by miradora, October 30, 2006

C'mon that was not funny!

To Caraca
written by Adriana, October 31, 2006

Hi
Yes, some Brasilians become "deslumbrados" when they first come here. I don't blame them, especially if their lives in Brasil weren't easy. However, I don't think is possible to someone forgets his/her cultural background, because that is who he/she is.
I wish you good luck, and lets hope Lula can do a good administration. You take good care of Brasil for us, because we Brasilians living overseas are not able to be there to help. But we will some day!!!!!!!!

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written by Jordi, October 31, 2006

Free trade is not the solution, education is...
free trade is of course an essential factor towrads economic growth. However, when you have a group of highly productive and developed nations like the US or Europe (my own) that have a very protetive trade, you have to spend more effort in improving your own productivity (in which education si crucial) and lobbying for their liberalisation, rather than just opening your market to them. Thos who think that just opening the market is the solution, they either have personal interest in that, or they are stubbournly ignorant.

Jordi great comment
written by primo, November 01, 2006

I agree with you that opening brazilian market could not be only solution. It would be a great chance for big multinationals many of hem US companies to attack the economy. To own it. Everything is about power and money. I would sugest that brazilian comapnies go international. They have to make their greatest brands global. They should look at raising european markets where people are mad about brazil so lets merge fun and business and we might one day buy US companies

"Educacao"
written by Gringo, November 01, 2006

I am a gringo from Europe living here. In my opinion, people here are too obsessed with "educacao". Yes it is important but for a country to get ahead, EVERYTHING is important.

A country is a complex system consisting of many things. If just ONE part of this system fails, other parts suffer.

Examples:

1) if you can't fix your crime rates, bussinesses won't be efficient (because business conflicts can be solved by a contract killing).

2) if businesses won't be efficient, tax collection will suffer, thus there will be no public investments in roads, schools, etc.

I could go on and on. Mr. Buarque was a presidential candidate this year and in my opinion such a person should know that things aren't simple, and that "revolutions" in 99% of cases just worsen things.

Article on Education in Brazil
written by Regina, December 12, 2006

Mr. Buarque,
I was surprised to read an article by a Brazilian politician in this website. I was impressed by both it's content and the translation. However, I am wondering why , someone who is in the Brazilian political arena, would bother to inform, Brazilians living abroad or citizens from another country, what is needed to make Brazil a better country for its people. I think you should use your influence to reform the Brazilian education laws by lobbying your changes using the right channels in the government. I don't know if you have read the comments here about your article. I hope you have. Unfortunately, the comments were not very informative nor were they from well-educated people. That said, it makes me wonder, that perhaps your average person, who received an education from let's say, a first-world country, is not per se an intelligent person. Perhaps, not everything has to do with sending or make obliglatory that children goes to school or paying teachers higher salaries. It could be that it is also necessary to educate the parents of these children. Or perhaps, it is also necessary that these parents have a job. Or perhaps, it is also necessary that these parents, have food to give their children. Let me make a suggestion, Mr. Buarque. Come and spend a day in a small town in the northeast of Brazil. Talk to them. Make any of the small town you choose, your model town. Help them, help themselves. All people need is to know that someone in their government is honest and care about them. They will do the rest.

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