Context and Problem

Brazil's public education system faces many challenges, such as poor quality of education and inequalities in accessibility. Among other factors, financial issues contribute to the difficulty of attracting, developing, and retaining skilled educators, especially in rural and marginalized areas. The 2018 OECD report highlights the relatively low salaries of teachers compared to those in other OECD countries, despite improvements in working conditions and a decrease in class sizes. In 2017, the minimum salary for Brazilian teachers was approximately USD 14,000, which is much lower than in other Latin American countries (e.g., teachers earn $24,900 in Chile and $20,000 in Mexico). 

Solution

Ensina Brazil addresses these systemic issues by recruiting talented young professionals into the educational sector, equipping them with leadership skills, and placing them in schools that need the most support. Since its inception, Ensina received over 98,000 applicants, and recipients were selected through a competitive selection process. The selected individuals undergo 165 hours of synchronous and asynchronous training, preparing them for effective teaching and transformative leadership. Furthermore, teachers get continued professional development to ensure they are always equipped with the necessary skills to address complex educational challenges effectively. Over 850 members, including more than 300 active participants and 557 alumni, work across various educational sectors in more than 20 Brazilian states. Through the program, educators were encouraged to work collaboratively with local community members, teachers, and school principals to enhance educational opportunities and student leadership skills.

Impact

The initiative is active in 130 schools across eight Brazilian states and impacts over 120,000 students. Moreover, 80% of the program's alumni continue to work within the educational sector, influencing policies and practices in numerous positions. However, further evaluations will have to be carried out to understand the full scope of the impact.