We have been fortunate enough to visit many different schools during our stay here in Goiânia, Brazil. This has allowed us to not only compare the Brazilian education system to our own, but also notice the somewhat large differences between school districts within Brazil itself. Entering a Brazilian classroom carried with it a feeling of familiarity as well as something totally foreign. Desks and chairs, a whiteboard, and a TV plugged into a computer can be seen in the majority of classrooms we have visited. But that is where the similarities end.
A constant theme across all of the schools we have seen is the openness. Unlike our enclosed spaces, the classrooms and hallways are largely outdoors; open to the elements and the unforgiving heat. The students have access to beautiful open spaces filled with trees and flowers. Many schools also have gardens planted and sustained by the students themselves. The perimeters are usually surrounded with tall brick walls, barbed wire, and large gates. The classroom walls are relatively bare, adorned with occasional posters. Some schools are fortunate to have air conditioning or fans. In other schools these units serve only as decoration as they unfortunately have not functioned properly in years.
Resources are often limited and some libraries contain little to no books. The science “lab” contains two microscopes and a few beakers shared among the whole school. The students have limited access to the lab due to the expensive and breakable nature of these materials. Computer labs are also limited. One school is fortunate enough to have received a cart of laptops for the students to share. The teacher tells us that this is part of a politic ploy to gain the school’s support, as the federal elections draw near. Unlike schools in Canada, the students here all receive at least one meal and it is always delicious and made with care.
At one high school, the graffiti decorated desks are haphazardly placed around the room. The near constant chatter of the students can be heard throughout the lecture. An occasional student can be seen taking notes. Others pass the time on their phones or even openly sleeping on their desks. Teachers here typically limit their instruction to twenty minutes allowing students free time for the remainder of the fifty-minute class. The teacher explains that the students are unable to retain all of the information and are not accustomed to concentrating for that long. Disruptions are commonplace as students blurt out answers or the teacher attempts to quiet the rowdy ones. However, the biggest disruption of all remains our mere presence. It feels like I would imagine walking down a red carpet would feel like. The students’ curiosity is insatiable. Even though most of them do not speak much English, beyond “Hello” and “Thank you”, they gather around us; waving, shaking our hands, giving us hugs, asking questions in Portuguese, or simply smiling. These people, despite being strangers welcome us into their schools and classrooms as if we were lifelong friends. They always give us the best seats, take the time to translate, introduce us warmly, and feed us traditional meals. Although my celebrity status is completely undeserved, I have never felt so welcomed and loved in my life.
One private elementary school stands in stark contrast with the remainder of the schools. Here the desks are more organized and free of graffiti and the walls are painted different colours and decorated. The students have a very large outdoor play area complete with several playgrounds and even a swimming pool. Whether it is across the world or across the street, one thing remains constant in all of these schools: there exists an excitement to learn and grow and hopefully make the world a better place. 🙂