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How COVID-19 will pave the way for better and more accessible education in Brazil
Blog by Isabela Melara Cavassin
Winner, 4th annual World Bank/Financial Times blog competition
JUNE 21, 2021
It is safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has left a mark in every aspect of our lives. Taking
the economy for example, the destruction trail left by the virus is made clear when 38 million US
citizens apply for unemployment benefits (compared to the 5.8 million that applied pre-covid), or
when the stock market goes through a roller coaster motion every other hour.
While the financial turmoil is widely discussed by politicians and experts, other consequences of
the pandemic receive little to no attention from the authorities. For instance, the emotional toll
brought by the sudden change in educational formats. Leaving both teachers and students in an
academic limbo, the transitioning to the online system was turbulent. As the COVID-19 cases rose,
so did the number of dropout students due to financial complications, demotivation, or lack of
future perspective.
Unfortunately, few institutions put effort into making online school an enjoyable and valid format of
learning. However, there were those that did pave the way for quality education solutions.
A good example is the inverted classroom method, which got popular in Brazilian High Schools
and kept students from dropping out, ensuring them independence to learn on their own way. In
this method, the teacher shares reliable sources and leads the class so they can study by
themselves. After the students have read the material, an online meeting is held, the subject is
discussed, and eventual doubts are solved.
The inverted classroom encourages healthy studying habits, stimulates the establishment of a
routine, and makes learning a much more personalized and rewarding experience. The teacher
assumes a tutor role, rather than an authority.
The public schools that successfully implemented this innovative online teaching method were
recognized by the Brazilian National Council of Secretaries of Education. In December 2020, 5
schools were awarded with the School Management Award, including one in a rural area. The first
place was awarded with a 30 thousand Brazilian Reais prize to purchase equipment.
As a public-school student, I have seen my teachers struggle with switching from one method to
another, fighting to assure proper equipment to those who did not have it. It is refreshing to know
the effort will not go to waste. The newly adopted stimulating method (and the ones that are to be) will continue to improve learning and its accessibility, by combining technology and passion for
education
Available at: https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/how-covid-19-will-pave-way-better-and-more-accessible-education-brazil.