Brazil Achieves Goal: 66% of Children Properly Alphabetized by Age

Brazil has surpassed its child literacy goal, achieving a 66% literacy rate among students by the end of their second year of basic education in 2023—ahead of the 2025 target. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Education Minister Camilo Santana announced the results on Monday, October 23rd, in Brasilia, according to a Brazilian government agency. President Lula stated that the initial goal set by the National Commitment to Child Literacy was 64% for 2025, with the ultimate aim of reaching 80% by 2030. "We decided to make this pact for timely alfabetization to arrive at 2030 with 80% of children alfabetized by the second year. It seemed an impossible target. See that, with just two years, we have reached 66," asserted Lula, who also expressed hope that the number of literate children will reach 70% next year. Lula emphasized the importance of education, stating, "This is marvelous, because it's the most important legacy a country can give to its people: good educational formation... There is no example of any country in the world that has developed and whose people have achieved a dignified and respectable standard of living without first being able to invest in education."

The announcement coincided with the ceremony for the 2nd edition of the National Commitment Seal to Literacy (Literacy Seal), where Lula and Santana recognized 4,710 municipalities and 18 states. The Seal recognizes and rewards the efforts of state, Federal District, and municipal education departments in formulating and implementing public policies. Awards were given in Ouro (Gold), Prata (Silver), and Bronze categories. Eleven states and 2,274 municipalities received the Gold Seal, six states and 1,890 municipalities received the Silver Seal, and one state and 546 municipalities received the Bronze Seal.

Brazil's Progress Towards Universal Child Literacy and Adult Education Improvement (2023-2024)

Camilo Santana also celebrated the achievement, stating that the country's ultimate goal is for 100% of Brazilian children to be literate by the end of the second year of primary education, as outlined in Meta 5 of the National Plan for Education. According to Santana, the Commitment also aims to ensure the recovery of learning for children enrolled in the third, fourth, and fifth years of primary education, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Santana explained, "The Commitment allows for decentralized, state-specific approaches. Each state, in collaboration with its municipalities, carries out alphabets policy according to their specificities." He noted that school dropout rates have been halved and enrollments in full-day education have risen from 15% to 25.7% over the last three years. The World Bank reported in 2024 that 94.8% of Brazilian adults were literate, a 0.229% increase from the previous year and the highest adult literacy rate on record for Brazil. The lowest adult literacy rate was 74.6% in 1980, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. These achievements highlight Brazil's commitment to improving education and literacy rates across the country.

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