Population (approx.)161 millionLiteracy StatisticsOverall: 83.3%Male: 83.3%Female: 83.3%GNP Per Capita (US Dollars)$4,400Source: The World Bank Development Indicators, 1996; CIA World Fact Book 1997 |
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Country Report presented by Marcia M. Silveira
As an introduction to the diversity within Brazilian culture, Marcia played a reggae song from the Bahia region in northeast Brazil to illustrate that there is more to Brazilian music than just the samba. The different regions of Brazil also have varying economic and educational experiences. Basic school completion statistics in Bahia shows high drop-out and repetition rates. Compared to Brazil's national statistics for literacy (83%) and GNP ($3,000), the region of Bahia has 75% literacy (37% in rural areas) and GNP of $110.
In response to the recent decentralization process in Brazil and new
laws which state that municipalities need to take responsibility for promoting
education, Bahia has taken steps to improve the literacy rates in the region.
This has led to the development of the Irecê Educational Project,
co-sponsored by UNICEF, the Brazilian Government, the Irecê Municipality
and a local NGO. The project has many different segments including literacy
classes for different age groups, a library, and a monthly newsletter called
"Correio-escola." The project uses local materials and has had
some involvement in local political action in the community, such as a march
to voice the environmental concerns of the people. One of the main aims
of the project is to promote alliances between social institutions and community
groups, such as political parties, unions, cultural organizations, academia,
the media and ethnic groups. It is hoped that the Irecê experience
will serve as an example to other municipalities, encouraging them to take
action towards improving literacy.
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY
INSTITUTE