Quota based on color and socio-economic origin. It works like this: 50% of accepted students must come from free public schools, and the remaining 50% from expensive private schools. Some students who come from public education must also be black.
This percentage depends on the number of black residents in each state. In São Paul, this percentage is about 35 percent, so universities there use the same percentage. National entrance tests are then used to determine who can and cannot attend university.
“What seemed impossible has become possible.”
Students like Matthews da Cruz and Tessa Vozis would never study at UFABC State University in São Paulo if there were no classes, they told RTL News. “What seemed impossible has become possible.” They are both colored and their families come from the lower classes. There was no money at home to pay for private schools. But it’s not easy. “The workload is twice as great,” Matthews says.
They both went to free public high schools, where the standard of education is much lower than expensive private schools, with mainly white students. But now the two young men are studying at the University of Sao Paulo. This was also the first educational institution in Brazil to introduce a quota system; It was in 2006, when the public university opened its doors, long before the government followed suit.
The system is of great importance in a country like Brazil, says international relations professor Schott, who has been teaching at this university for 13 years. The country is characterized by three centuries of slavery.
Structural racism also remains prevalent, while Brazil is the country with the largest black population after Nigeria. “Before, the only black people on campuses were security guards or janitors. They like to have black students around now.”
“All young people still take the same entrance test, but they enter through two doors,” Schott explains. Free public high school students are fighting among themselves for 30 percent of the keys that can open a single door. Expensive private education students compete for admission to the other door, which provides access to 70 percent of the total number of places at the university. “So they are competing with their peers, so the less well-off people end up getting a chance,” Schott explains.
Family pride
He also immediately rejects the argument used against quotas: that they will lower the standard of education. Research shows that this is not true and this does not surprise the professor. “Students who come through quota systems realize that this is a very big opportunity.” They are also often the first in their families to study, and this brings a lot of pride.
He believes this is reflected when these students receive their degrees. “It’s very emotional for the whole family, just a revolution.” The same applies to Thaesa and Matthews. Thesa describes her education as a “collective victory” and “a source of pride for her family.”
Matthews’ family is also very proud: he is the first in his family to obtain a bachelor’s degree in economics. “It would not have been possible without this policy.”
His mother was a domestic servant all her life. “She can’t read and write.” Her son has now started his master’s degree. “For my mother, as well as for my uncles and cousins, it gives me great pleasure to say that I am studying at the university.”
Dropping out of school due to lack of money
However, students stress that the quota system also has problems. “Acceptance is just the first step in the difficult process of studying as a Brazilian of color,” says Thiesa. She explains that many students are forced to work in addition to their studies to provide a living and pay for their education. “As a result, we miss out on a lot, such as participation in research groups and information activities.”
Matthews agrees it’s hard work. “The workload for us is twice that.” Matthews gets a scholarship, but has to work on the side to make ends meet.
The students arrive tired
Professor Schott is aware of the problem and says his students often arrive exhausted to evening classes that have been offered specifically for working students. “Because of work, they had to face the morning and evening rush hour, and this requires a lot of energy in a city with millions of people like São Paulo.” There is also no time left for self-study. “That’s why they don’t succeed and withdraw.” Schütte therefore calls for more scholarships, but these have been reduced in recent years by former President Jair Bolsonaro.
According to the professor, the workload is also high due to the learning gap that many young people enter after completing free public education. “Their math, English and Portuguese skills are really bad, but they are working hard to improve them.” He therefore believes that the quota system should also require English language courses in universities. “Otherwise there is no point.”
Expanding quotas
And there is hope. Just a month ago, Brazil’s National Congress, a majority of middle-aged white men, agreed to update the quota system. This new law aims to make the quota permanent by adding conditions.
“Think about exhibitions,” Schott explains. “So you not only open the door for these students, but you also take action to ensure that these students stay and complete their studies.” He stresses that this is a directive, not a commitment, but “it still represents progress.”
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