Public networks in Brazil registered fewer students; in private schools, movement was closer to normal
After alleged threats of attacks this Thursday 20 on schools in the country, public networks had empty rooms and activities on peaceful coexistence and valuing education. Absences have also increased, according to the states, because it is the eve of a public holiday, when in general the absence is already greater. Among private schools in São Paulo, the reduction in students was less significant. The children brought flowers to the teachers and participated in conversations on the culture of peace.
In a public school in Mauá, in Greater São Paulo, only about 60 of the 500 students showed up this Thursday. “Even with an awareness-raising process among the students and their supervisors, many of them commented that they would not come to school, as they are distressed and insecure,” said Professor André Sapanos. According to him, who is coordinator of the region’s teachers union, the same has happened in other schools in the ABC region.
In another state school, in Sacomã, in the southern zone, there were only five students in a classroom this morning, according to teachers. In others, the information was 25% of the absences. There were also units that used Thursdays to hold pedagogical meetings with teachers and dismissed students, since this Thursday was officially the last day of the first two months in the state network.
The Secretary of State for Education announced that he should publish the balance of absences in the afternoon. According to the São Paulo Security Secretariat, the police were strengthened in the vicinity of the schools and no incidents occurred until the end of the morning. The “number of police officers on the ostensive tour has been increased, with reserve operational personnel normally acting in unit administration,” according to the file.
In elite private schools, attendance, according to the Stadium, it was around 80% this morning. The eve of the holidays also normally influences absences because many families travel, according to the directors.
At Colégio Pentagono, which has units in Perdizes and Alphaville, the highest absence was among high school students, with 35% of absences. Among the little ones, a reading club and distribution of white balloons.
At the Escola Projeto Vida, in the northern area, most of the students were present this morning. This week the institute held classes for parents on raising awareness and combating violence and hired a private security firm to do the rounds. “The children brought flowers to the teachers and staff and we did a mindfulness practice to wish peace and good things. We tried to ritualise it in a positive way,” said director Monica Padroni.
The report of Stadium spoke with the education secretaries of states such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, Pará, Piauí, Espítiro Santo. Only Piauí has not recorded any decline in student attendance. In all schools they promote activities to celebrate peace, with drawings, balloons, flowers and awareness of bullying and violence, according to the secretaries.
“Attendance is lower, but schools focus on welcoming students and work on the importance of peace,” said Rio’s municipal secretary of education, Renan Ferreirinha. The same was said by the municipal secretary of São Paulo, Fernando Padula. In the capital, the network has also organized conversation clubs for children and adults, creating posters with messages of peace and other activities. Ferreirinha and Padula spent the morning visiting schools
In Recife, attendance at municipal schools was uneven. According to Education Secretary Fred Amâncio, there was between 40% and 90% attendance during the morning. Many schools promoted activities to celebrate peace, with painted and whites averaging about 60 percent attendance. “I believe that if we end the day like this, next week we will be back to full normality,” Amâncio said.
At the beginning of the week some movement started encourage a change in the narrative following alleged bomb threats on Thursday. “Together, we can redeem the power of schools and enable their teachers, students and everyone in their communities to build a future of civility, respect and democracy,” says another movement, the Fearless school poster, launched on Monday by Associação Nova Escola. “How can this scenario be changed? It’s not about closing in or isolating yourself. It’s about opening up to conversation, dialogue and listening. It’s about discussing solutions and involving each individual and the whole of society at the same time”.
Source: Terra
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