Brazil connects 500,000 schoolchildren in North, Northeast to internet

Approximately 500,000 primary education students in public schools across the North and Northeast of Brazil, where connectivity rates are among the lowest in the country, will benefit from internet access in classrooms. This initiative is part of the federal government's Connected Schools program, which aims to universalize internet access in schools and promote inclusion.

Minister of Communications Juscelino Filho stated that nationwide efforts will "connect 138,000 public primary schools by 2026."

The initiative is funded by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) and includes non-reimbursable resources from the Telecommunications Services Universalization Fund (Fust).

Rix Internet and Norte Brasil Network were chosen to implement infrastructure in the two regions, while Instituto Tecnológico Inovação will deploy the remote monitoring solution. In the public tender held by BNDES, the companies submitted proposals totaling BRL 56.7 million, below the maximum limit of BRL 66 million set in the tender.

BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante stated that "with quality internet, educators will have more tools to enhance the teaching and learning process, and students will gain access to the digital world and greater equal opportunities."

Schools

The National Connected Schools Strategy (Enec), established in 2023, aims to coordinate, implement, and monitor efforts to promote equitable access to technology in schools.

Under the connectivity axis, BRL 6.5 billion in investments are planned through 2026 as part of the Digital Inclusion and Connectivity pillar of the new Brazilian government’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), with execution monitored by the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.