User:Mateussf/Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education in Brazil

Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on education

Abstract
Because the president and federal government failed to act appropriately regarding the pandemic and had, as of 18 March, not decided to cancel classes in the whole country, lower instances of government had to act autonomously. This way, state schools, municipal schools, private institutions and universities acted differently regarding suspending classes at once, gradually or not at all, and between replacing classes with distance education or simply postponing them. States such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco have cancelled classes in state schools, but some municipal schools continue having classes normally even in those states.

On March 13, São Paulo state public schools announced that classes would be cancelled gradually, so that parents had time to come up with solutions that didn't involve letting the kids be with their grandparents. Classes will be indefinitely cancelled starting on March 23.

In Higher Education, Unicamp was the first university of the country to cancel all classes, stating on 13 March. Initially, classes were cancelled until 31 March, but later the university extended the suspension until 12 April.

On 11 March, one student of USP was confirmed with the disease, leading one department to cancel classes for a single day, and it wasn't until 17 March that the whole university cancelled classes. Many universities across the country cancelled classes, such as UFV (since 16 March) and UNILA (since 17 March), but others remain open.

Regarding the food safety of students, some municipal and state schools announced "food kits" for weekly pickup such as in Recife or that some selected schools would remain open for students to have lunch, such as in Espírito Santo.

UNESCO lists Brazil as having "localized" (as opposed to "national") school closures since 13 March, regarding pre-primary, primary, lower-secondary, upper-secondary and tertiary education levels.

Education
Because the president and federal government failed to act appropriately regarding the pandemic and had, as of 18 March, not decided to cancel classes in the whole country, lower instances of government had to act autonomously. This way, state schools, municipal schools, private institutions and universities acted differently regarding suspending classes at once, gradually or not at all, and between replacing classes with distance education or simply postponing them. States such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Pernambuco have cancelled classes in state schools, but some municipal schools continue having classes normally even in those states.

On March 13, São Paulo state public schools announced that classes would be cancelled gradually, so that parents had time to come up with solutions that didn't involve letting the kids be with their grandparents. Classes will be indefinitely cancelled starting on March 23.

In Higher Education, Unicamp was the first university of the country to cancel all classes, stating on 13 March. Initially, classes were cancelled until 31 March, but later the university extended the suspension until 12 April.

On 11 March, one student of USP was confirmed with the disease, leading one department to cancel classes for a single day, and it wasn't until 17 March that the whole university cancelled classes. Many universities across the country cancelled classes, such as UFV (since 16 March) and UNILA (since 17 March), but others remain open.

Regarding the food safety of students, some municipal and state schools announced "food kits" for weekly pickup such as in Recife or that some selected schools would remain open for students to have lunch, such as in Espírito Santo.

Most universities had cancelled events and international travel before cancelling classes. Some universities and state schools had cancelled classes only temporarily, with a set date to return (such as USP's Geography Department, that initially cancelled classes for only one day) while others only acted after the first confirmed case of the disease in the university student body or personnel.

As of 14 March, some schools had closed down, some indefinetely and others with an announced return date. (bad source)

Each region will be discussed separately, regarding schools, universities and other relevant aspects.

Southeast Region, Brazil
On March 13, São Paulo state public schools announced that classes would be cancelled gradually, so that parents had time to come up with solutions that didn't involve letting the kids be with their grandparents. From the 16th to the 20th, students would not be penalized for being absent, and there would be meetings with parents and guardians in small groups with orientations on what to do during the pandemic. Classes will be indefinitely cancelled starting on March 23. Some private schools also announced classes being cancelled, starting on different days. The government announced that classes might happen via the internet.

Minas Gerais state initially cancelled classes for public schools between 18 and 22 March, effectively cancelling school for only three days. On 18 March, the state governor announced that classes in the region of the state capital Belo Horizonte were cancelled indefinitely, because there was confirmed community transmission in the region, but the rest of the state would continue having classes normally until further notice.

In Rio de Janeiro state, state schools cancelled classes for 15 days, starting on 16 March, while municipal schools of Rio de Janeiro city stopped for at least a week. Private schools stopped for 15 days, according to the Private School Union. The Rio de Janeiro city Secretary of Education said they would use distance education via the internet for kids at home. In other cities, municipal schools also stopped, while in the Belford Roxo city classes would continue normally as of 13 March. In Queimados city, municipal daycares also closed. As of 13 March, kids would be allowed to have lunch at municipal schools in Rio de Janeiro, as they normally would.

In Espírito Santo, state schools would cancel classes starting on 17 March, but schools would remain open until 20 March to inform students and families about the pandemic. Some schools would remain open for lunch. The state government announced it was in communication with municipal and private schools for them to close as well.

HIgher education
In Higher Education, Unicamp was the first university of the country to cancel all classes, stating on 13 March. Initially, classes were cancelled until 31 March, but later the university extended the suspension until 12 April.

On 11 March, a Geography student of USP was confirmed with the disease, leading the department to cancel classes for a single day, and it wasn't until 17 March that the whole university cancelled classes. Among other public universities of São Paulo state Ufscar and UNESP also announced classes being cancelled.

For federal universities located in Minas Gerais, UFV cancelled classes starting on 16 March, while UFMG cancelled classes indefinitely starting on 18 March. Private university PUC Minas cancelled classes between 16 and 31 March, as well as closing its museum.

Northeast Region, Brazil
In Alagoas, state schools cancelled classes for two weeks, starting on March 23. The state capital, Maceió, as well as other cities in the state cancelled classes in municipal schools. Students will be able to pick up food from the school at set times. Schools will be open until March 20 to orient parents and guardians.

The governor of Bahia announced state and private schools will be closed for 30 days, starting on March 20. The state capital, Salvador also cancelled classes in municipal and private schools, starting on 18 March.

The Ceará government cancelled classes in public schools for 15 days, starting on 18 March. Fortaleza city, the state capital, announced that municipal schools will close for 15 days, starting on 19 March, and it's studying how to securely provide food for students.

Maranhão cancelled classes in state schools, starting on 17 March, for a period of 15 days. The state capital cancelled classes in municipal schools starting on the 18th.

In Paraíba, the government changed the calendar of state schools so that vacations would happen between 19 March and 18 April, effectively cancelling classes. It also announced municipal and private schools should also cancel classes. João Pessoa, Paraíba, the state capital, closed all its regular schools, but kept open daycares and integral education schools (in which students stay morning and afternoon in the school).

The government of Pernambuco closed all schools in the state, both public and private, starting on 18 March, with no set date of return. Municipal schools of Recife, capital of the state, also cancelled classes stating on 18 March. Regarding the food security of students, some cities announced the distribution of food. In Recife, parents can pick up "food kits" once a week.

The state schools of Piauí cancelled classes starting on 17 March for a period of 15 days. The state capital, Teresina, cancelled classes in municipal schools starting on 19 March, and over 180 other cities in the state announced similar measures.

The governor of Rio Grande do Norte cancelled schools of state, municipal and private schools of the entire state, starting on 18 March, for a period of 15 days. The mayor of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte's capital, announced a similar measure.

In Sergipe, classes were cancelled in state and private schools starting on 17 March, for 15 days. In the capital Aracaju classes were cancelled for 15 days, according to municipal decree nº 6097.[citation needed]

Higher education
In Pernambuco state, several universities cancelled classes from 16 March until 31 March. Among them, UFPE, UFRP, UPE, Univasp, Unicap, Ufape and IFPE. Among private higher educational institutions, some cancelled classes starting on the 16th, while another on the 18th; some until 31 March, some indefinitely.

In Salvador, the capital of Bahia, the city prohibited universities from opening, and when private university opened for enrollment, it was indicted by the city.

South Region, Brazil
Santa Catarina state cancelled all classes in state, municipal and private schools, starting on 19 March. Students would not be penalized from missing school on the 17th and 18th. The capital Florianópolis cancelled classes starting on the 17th.

Rio Grande do Sul state cancelled all classes in state schools starting on 19 March, for a period of 15 days. There's supposed to be "programmed classes" for students to learn from a distance. Porto Alegre cancelled classes for three weeks, starting on 18 March. Initially, preschools (educação infantil) would remain open, but then the city prefecture announced they would also close, starting on 23 March.

Paraná state cancelled classes in public and private schools, starting on 20 Monday. In the state capital Curitiba classes in municipal schools were optional from 16 to 20 March, and cancelled for all from 23 March onward, until 12 April.

Higher education
Federal university UNILA cancelled classes starting on 17 March.

North Region, Brazil
Amazonas Acre Amapá Rondônia Roraima Pará Tocantins

Higher education
The vice-dean of federal university UFAM was confirmed as having Covid-19 on 17 March, after returning from infected area São Paulo.

Center-West Region, Brazil
Mato Grosso Mato Grosso do Sul Goiás Distrito Federal

Higher education
On 11 March, Federal District's governor determined suspension of classes for five days on every school and university of the district. On the following day, the Universidade de Brasília decided to suspend classes for those five days, and later until 31 March.