With high rates of functional illiteracy in Brazil, the course helps young people and adults develop basic skills for the job market.

Did you know that almost 3 out of 10 Brazilian adults have difficulty interpreting a text or performing basic everyday tasks, such as writing an email or understanding a bill? These are called functionally illiterate. They can read short sentences and recognize numbers, but they do not have full mastery of reading, writing, and math in real-life situations.

According to the most recent edition of the Functional Literacy Indicator (Inaf), released in May 2025, 29% of the Brazilian population between the ages of 15 and 64 is still functionally illiterate — a number that has remained virtually unchanged since 2018. The problem is more pronounced among people over 40 and mainly affects Black, Indigenous, and Asian people.

This scenario is worrying and reveals how unequal access to quality basic education still is in the country. But it also reinforces the importance of continuing education as a strategy for transforming lives.

What is continuing education?

The term continuing education refers to a continuous process of lifelong learning. In other words, it is the idea that the educational process does not end when someone leaves school. On the contrary: constant learning is essential to keep up with changes in the world, the labor market, and society.

This process goes far beyond the classroom; it represents an opportunity for personal growth, autonomy, and access to the job market. Throughout our lives, we can—and should—seek ways to learn continuously. Whether it is to resume interrupted studies or to develop skills that were left behind in childhood or youth.

The importance of continuing education lies in its potential to transform lives. It helps to:

• Reduce social inequalities by providing access to knowledge for those who did not have the opportunity to study before;
• Combat functional illiteracy by reinforcing basic skills such as reading, writing, and logical reasoning, for example;
• Improve employability by preparing people for the current job market;
• Increase self-esteem by showing that learning is always possible, regardless of age;
• Strengthen citizenship, because those who better understand their rights and duties participate more actively in society.

With this in mind, the Ramacrisna Institute, through the Building the Future project, in partnership with Petrobras, offers a free Portuguese and mathematics reinforcement course. The proposal is to help young people and adults overcome barriers related to functional illiteracy and prepare for new professional opportunities.

Portuguese and mathematics tutoring

The classes follow the minimum school curriculum and respect the timing of each stage of learning. In this way, the course promotes the development of basic skills with a focus on citizenship, logical reasoning, and communication—fundamental for everyday life and the world of work.

The course is free and in-person, with a workload of 80 class hours. People between the ages of 16 and 45 who have completed elementary school and live in specific neighborhoods in Betim, Ibirité, and Sarzedo are eligible to participate.

1. With adapted content and accessible language, the course offers more than just academic reinforcement: it provides tools for the job market, greater confidence for everyday activities, and a sense of belonging in a society that is increasingly demanding in terms of reading and communication.

Continuing education is, therefore, a concrete response to the challenge of functional illiteracy. And more than that: it is an invitation for each person to take charge of their own story and transform their lives.

If you believe that it is never too late to learn, join our chain of good. Contact us and learn how to contribute to building a more just and inclusive future.