Although it is not permitted in Brazil, there is much discussion about the possibility of this modality becoming a teaching practice in the future, as it already is in many countries considered “first world”.
In 2018, a decision by the STF – Supreme Federal Court determined that there is no law regulating the practice of homeschooling in Brazil and therefore, all children must attend schools to study in a conventional way.
The measure also aims to ensure that children interact with peers from different backgrounds and beliefs, for better socialization. For many, children should study at school, with their own custom backpack, your materials and classmates.
Others, however, argue that children would learn much more and better at home. However, this is not what was observed with elementary school students, whose illiteracy rates jumped from 15% in 2019 to 34% in 2021, according to data from Saeb – Basic Education Assessment System.
During this period, due to the Lockdown, all students studied at home, through videoconferencing classes and internet resources.
Although many countries of “first world”, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, France, the United Kingdom and others have already adopted Homeschooling as a consolidated teaching method, in Brazil the practice faces several problems.
Obstacles
To begin with, in practice, those who become responsible for the child's learning are the parents. Therefore, face-to-face classes at school, would be replaced by home classes, since one of the parents accompanies all the teaching material and learning of the young person.
However, many parents do not have the necessary level of education to do so, when they still have to work and spend the whole day away from home. Often the homes where the young people live also do not have the structure that allows for quality study and preparation equivalent to that of a classroom.
Another obstacle in this modality would be access to the system and the necessary equipment for a quality study, not to mention a strong internet signal – something that many Brazilians still do not have.
Bill
A Bill (3262/19), approved in the Chamber in May 2022, aims to amend the Education Guidelines and Bases Law in order to ensure that homeschooling is adopted in preschool, elementary and secondary education practices.
However, if this project is approved, parents will have to formalize home schooling together with a government-accredited school, enrolling their children in said school every year.
Parents who choose this type of education for their children will also have to present a completed higher education degree and criminal records issued by the Federal and State Courts.
This bill is currently under review in the Senate, where it may undergo changes. If there are no changes, it will be sent to the President for approval. If there are any changes to the text, it will be returned to the Chamber of Deputies, where it will be submitted for a new vote.
What does project 3262/19 provide for?
- Parents or legal guardians must have completed higher education;
- Parents or legal guardians cannot have a criminal record;
- If the grade on the test is insufficient or the student does not take it at school, home schooling will be suspended and they must return to the institution to study in the classroom;
- The educational institutions in which the students are enrolled will hold biannual meetings with the students and their parents or guardians, and
- The student must be enrolled every year in a school accredited by the MEC.
Although it has already been adopted by many first world countries, it is a fact that in these nations, education has always been a priority, so homeschooling was not adopted as a measure to reduce costs with basic education.
The project, therefore, needs to focus on the quality of teaching, whether in person or at home, otherwise it could increase illiteracy rates like never before.
And every country that prospers through education.
