Publication: Higher Education in Brazil : Challenges and Options
Date
2002-03
ISSN
Published
2002-03
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Brazil has put significant resources
into developing its higher education system over the past
three decades. As a result, a system has evolved in which
some institutions have achieved recognizable excellence in
teaching and research, while, more generally, the majority
of institutions have struggled to provide relevant, quality
education at reasonable cost. As a whole, the system has a
number of large challenges to overcome. Brazil has a low
enrolment rate in higher education. Rigidities in funding
and regulation create strong disincentives for
cost-efficiency or quality. The quality of instruction and
the relevance of the curriculum are below desirable
standards. The Government of Brazil has a three-pronged
strategy for improving higher education: a) to change the
legal framework for the sector; b) to change to a
performance-based funding system that supports the
Ministerio da Educacao e do Esporto's (MEC) policy
goals of improved access, quality, and efficiency; and c) to
improve capacity for evaluating quality of instruction and
performance of institutions. The challenge is to focus
attention on those changes that will promote the greatest
progress in equitable access, quality, relevance, and
efficiency. Finally, the report recommends ways to improve
access, quality, and efficiency.
Citation
“World Bank. 2002. Higher Education in Brazil : Challenges and Options. A World Bank Country Study;. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/e2e52992-c2ff-5ef9-af29-922b7b142471 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”