Nine out of ten (90.7%) children aged 6 to 10 were in the appropriate grade last year. This portion is practically the same as in 2023 (90.8%), but is below the pre-covid-19 pandemic period.
In 2019, before the health crisis emerged, 95.7% of children aged 6 to 10 were in the correct grade.
The data is part of the survey Summary of Social Indicatorsreleased this Wednesday (3) by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).
To measure academic delay, IBGE uses the adjusted net school attendance rate (Tafel), which represents the proportion of students who attend the appropriate education stage for their age group or who have already completed it.
Due to the pandemic, the survey was not carried out in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, it presented a proportion of 91.9%.
Entry delay
IBGE analyst Luanda Chaves Botelho states that this level below the 2019 level is explained precisely by the pandemic.
“It is mainly due to the delay in children entering pre-school during the pandemic period, which also has an impact on entry into primary school”.
In Brazil, attendance at preschool is mandatory from the age of 4 when the child has a birthday by March 31st.
Off target
In the group of children aged 11 to 14, the proportion of those in the appropriate grade was 89.1% in 2024. The level is already above the pre-pandemic period (87.4%).
However, the indicator does not meet the National Education Plan (PNE) target of 95% of 14-year-olds having completed primary education.
Another parameter that shows Brazilian education outside of targets determined by the PNE is school attendance of children up to 5 years old.
In the group up to three years old, in 2024, 39.7% attended daycare centers. However, the target determines 50%. Although outside the objective, it is the highest proportion ever recorded by the survey, which began in 2016.
When IBGE began the survey, the share was 30.3%. In 2023, it was 38.6%.
In the 4 to 5 year old age group, 93.5% were in preschool, also the highest level since 2016 (90%). In 2023 it was 93%. The PNE’s goal is universalization, that is, practically everyone.
When looking for reasons why these children were out of school, the researchers identified that, in both groups, the biggest reason was “by choice of parents or guardians”.
Children up to 3 years old out of school
– By choice of parents or guardians: 59.9%
– There is no school/daycare, there is no space or the school does not accept the child due to age: 33.3%
– Others: 6.8%
Children aged 4 and 5 out of school
– By choice of parents or guardians: 48.1%
– There is no school/daycare, there is no space or the school does not accept the child due to age: 39.4%
– Others: 12.5%
Years of study
The Synthesis of Social Indicators reveals that the average number of years of study for people in the 18 to 29 age group is 11.9 years. In 2016, it was 11.1 years. The PNE target sets it to be 12 years.
The analysis shows inequalities within this age group. White people have more years of study (12.5) than black and brown people (11.5).
Young people who form the group with the 25% lowest household income per capita (per person) were 10.6 years old. Those with the 25% highest income had 13.5 years.
