Education in Brazil

It´s really hard to talk about this issue. Although a great number of positive changes have happened, some say that there's still a lot to be improved. I personally reckon that it completely hinges on us, students and future educators. I do believe we have the power in our hands to make the difference and establish a new order in the Education System. I'm so sure about this due to the experience I had when I was in the Fundamental Level. I used to study in a public school whan I was from 11 to 13. All I can say about this school is that everyone thought it was a place for hopeless cases - students from that institution didn't use to have any attention from the Govern, we were on our own. The only help we used to have was from parents who could afford some catering for the school canteen and books for some students. We used to share our books (lots of students didn't have classbooks) when there were books to share.
I must confess that those years were the best ones. I made lots of friends, the teachers were the best ever (I reckon this compensates the fact we didn't have any classbooks or any attention from the Government) and I was given the best-student-of-the-year prize when I moved to a private institution. In other words, I learnt how to the a good student exactly where it was the least expected. Not to mention that I learnt values for life.

But let's talk about structure (before I get any more lost in words... rsrsrs).

The Brazilian Educational System is divided into three levels: fundamental, intermediate and higher education, the latter comprising two different levels: undergraduate and graduate. Preschool or infant education is added to this hierarchical structure, for the purpose of providing assistance to children under 7 years of age.
Any youth or adult who did not follow or finish regular schooling at the appropriate age has the possibility of making up for the delay by attending courses and suppletory examinations customizing the mode of education to this special type of student.
Besides regular education, other modes of education are offered, such as suppletory education which substitutes and complements regular schooling, providing permanent education.
The regular school year in Brazil, independently of the calendar year, covers a minimum of 180 days of effective work, excluding tests and exams, according to the current Education Law. The new National Education Bases and Guidelines Law establishes 200 school days.
Fundamental school, compulsory to 7 to 14 year olds, extends over eight grades, with an annual minimum of 800 hours of activities. To enroll in the firstgrade, the student must be 7 years old, although entrance at an earlier age is allowed, depending on rules and regulations of each educational system.
Enrollment and attendance to fundamental education are allowed outside the appropriate age group. At 18 years of age, the student must attend suppletory education courses.
According to the Bases and Guidelines Law still in force, "national education, inspired in the principles of freedom and in the ideals of human solidarity, has the purpose of:

1. understanding individual rights and responsibilities, as well as those of citizens, the State and other community groups;
2. respecting man's dignity and fundamental freedoms;
3. strengthening national unity and international solidarity;
4. integral development of the human personality and his/her participation in the work towards common welfare;
5. preparing individuals and society to master scientific and technological resources which will allow the use existing possibilities to common welfare;
6. protecting, disseminating and expanding cultural heritage;
7. condemning any unequal treatment resulting from philosophical, political or religious belief, as well as any social classes or racial prejudices."
   

Well guys, I hope I have helped with this input.

Cheers!