If you are considering relocating to Brazil and have children of school age then you will need to find out about schools in the area you intend to settle in.
Unfortunately the state school system in Brazil is under-funded and literacy and attendance levels are poor when compared to European educational standards. The situation has however improved dramatically over the past 25 years, and the government spends a large proportion of its GDP on education.
The stabilization and growth of the Brazilian economy has seen remarkable progress in the numbers of children attending school, from 10 million in 1964 to over 40 million today. There are still large numbers who do not receive a full time education - estimated at 40% of the school age population. The fact remains that the Brazilian state education system is woefully lacking in resources and would not meet the requirements of most European parents.
With this in mind, it is clearly advisable to research the private international schools in your area. You will also need to budget for this cost when making your relocation plans. The following schools adhere to the English curriculum and offer an international flavour to their teaching.
St. Nicholas’s School, São Paulo Website: www.stnicholas.com.br
St Nicholas’ School was founded in 1980 and has grown to accommodate over 800 students, with 100 full time staff. The student population comprises over 32 nationalities. The school teaches students up to age 18 and offers the International GCSE and Baccalaureate exams.
St Paul’s School, São Paulo Website: www.stpauls.br
Founded in 1927, St Paul’s School prides itself on being a truly Anglo-Brazilian bilingual and bicultural establishment. The school boasts a library, art centre and state of the art IT centre as well as comprehensive sporting facilities.
The British School, Rio de Janeiro Website: www.britishschool.g12.br
The British School in Rio de Janeiro was established in 1924 and operates as a co-educational day school. The school offers a British style education to its students up to the age of 18. An member of the Council of International Schools, the school was recently awarded full accreditation in 2002 following a rigorous inspection. The school is also a member of the IBO (International Baccalaureate Organisation).
Unlike the state secondary system, tertiary education in Brazil is considered on a par with many advanced countries, with over 900 establishments offering some kind of post secondary education. There are 93 universities in Brazil offering over 100 different types of course - all require potential students to sit an entrance exam.
