Educators, leaders: Indigenous education in Brazil needs attention
During the 19th edition of the Acampamento Terra Livre (“Free Land Encampment”), indigenous movement leaders have written a letter calling for more government attention to the education provided to native children. Organized by indigenous association APIB, the gathering has been held in Brasília every year since 2004.
The text was based on the contributions of educators and representatives from various ethnic groups, and should be delivered to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Friday (Apr. 28) at the closing ceremony of the event. On the occasion, the president is expected to announce the recognition of new indigenous territories.
Among the demands concerning education is a new department within the Ministry of Education dedicated to the topic. It could contribute to speed up the implementation of measures aimed at tackling the issues listed in the document, such as “the precariousness of indigenous schooling and the infrastructure of indigenous schools,” “the neglect of indigenous teachers,” and “the fragile execution of policies for indigenous school education in the states and cities.”
“We’re asking for help. We need indigenous education to be seen as a priority,” said Alva Rosa Tukano, of the Indigenous School Education Forum, the entity that has been proposing the creation of a dedicated department since the transition between Jair Bolsonaro’s and Lula’s governments.
Further demands
In the document, movement members once again call for the establishment of a federal university. It also requests a place on the National Education Council, the discussion of a new fund, the return of affirmative action, the promotion and research of native languages, and the guarantee that kids in disputed areas have access to indigenous education.
“In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul alone, we have over 150 disputed areas. They’re yet to be demarcated, and many such communities do not have their constitutional rights enforced. Therefore, we demand that the reoccupied areas be given the same treatment as in the recognized villages. And that the same treatment be assured to the schools in urban villages that have not yet been recognized,” Gilmar Veron, from the Education Forum of Mato Grosso do Sul state, declared.
