Work is the main reason for dropping out of school in Brazil – 06/07/2023 – Education

The need to work is the main justification cited by young people for dropping out of school in Brazil, according to data released this Wednesday (7th) by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).

According to the institute, out of a total of 52 million people aged 14 to 29 in the country, around 18% (9.5 million) did not complete high school — either because they dropped out before the end or because they never completed it. attended school. The data refer to 2022.

When asked about the main reason behind this situation, 40.2% of these young people indicated the need to work. The percentage was practically stable compared to 2019 (40.1%), the previous version of the historical series, which started in 2016.

Lack of interest in studying (24.7%), other reasons (14.5%), pregnancy (9.2%), household chores (4.6%), health problems (3.6%) and absence of school in the desired location, vacancy or shift (3.2%) complete last year’s list of justifications.

The numbers are part of a module on education by Pnad Contínua (Continuous National Household Sample Survey). The publication referring to 2022 comes after two years (2020 and 2021) of interruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among men aged 14 to 29 out of school, the percentage of dropping out due to the need to work was 51.6% in 2022, followed by lack of interest in studying (26.9%).

Among women, the main reason was also the need to work, but at a lower level than men: 24%. Then came pregnancy (22.4%) and lack of interest in studying (21.5%).

In addition, highlights the IBGE, 10.3% of women indicated household chores or caring for people as the main reason for dropping out or never having attended school. For men, this percentage was considered insignificant (0.6%).

Schooling and attendance rates

The survey also brings data such as the schooling rate, which indicates the proportion of students of a certain age group in relation to the total number of people of that same age.

The IBGE highlighted that, from 2019 to 2022, the schooling rate of children aged four to five fell from 92.7% to 91.5%.

Adriana Beringuy, coordinator of surveys by sample of households at the IBGE, said that this decline may be associated “in some way” with the Covid-19 pandemic, either due to family decisions or problems in the provision of services. She, however, assessed that the data do not allow a definitive assessment.

The survey also shows the adjusted net school attendance rate. That is, the percentage of people who attend the expected level of education for their age group (or who had already completed this level) in relation to the total population of the same age.

Among the population aged 6 to 14 years, the schooling rate went from 99.3% in 2019 to 99.4% in 2022. On the other hand, the net school attendance rate in this age group dropped from 97.1% in 2019 to 95.2% in 2022. It is the lowest level in the historical series started in 2016.

According to the IBGE, the drop was mainly due to the situation seen in the first years of elementary school (six to ten years old).

Despite the decline, the estimate for 2022 (95.2%) remains within target 2 of the PNE (National Education Plan) for this indicator, which is at least 95% by 2024.

“What we observe is that the mismatch was not at the end of elementary school, it was at the entrance,” said Beringuy.

She also indicated that the result may be associated with the impacts of the pandemic, which paralyzed schools and forced remote teaching, but considered that the data does not provide a conclusive answer.

Among people aged 15 to 17, the schooling rate rose from 89% in 2019 to 92.2% in 2022. Target 3 of the PNE defined the universalization of school attendance for this portion of the population by 2016.

From 15 to 17 years old, there was also an increase in the proportion of students who were in the appropriate stage of education, attending high school or having completed their studies at that stage. The attendance rate went from 71.3% in 2019 to 75.2% in 2022. Target 3 of the PNE, however, establishes that the indicator is at 85% by 2024.

Among people aged 18 to 24, who ideally would be in higher education, the enrollment rate was 30.4% last year. The percentage was close to that recorded in 2019. The adjusted frequency rate was estimated at 25%.

Goal 12 of the PNE, says the IBGE, establishes that the net school attendance rate in higher education, for the population aged 18 to 24, reaches 33% by 2024. In 2022, this goal had been reached only among white people (35.2%).