Lula Announces R$108 Million Boost for Popular Cursinhos and Calls for Youth Political Engagement
President Lula announces R$108 million investment to expand popular preparatory courses for low-income students and urges increased youth political involvement.
- • Lula announced R$108 million to support up to 500 popular preparatory courses by 2026.
- • The initiative targets low-income public school students preparing for higher education exams like Enem.
- • Lula linked education with civic engagement, urging youth to participate actively in politics.
- • He critiques wealth concentration and political impunity, encouraging rebellion against inequality.
- • The government plans further expansion of funding following a successful initial phase.
- • Lula shared his personal journey from poverty to presidency to inspire young Brazilians.
Key details
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled a significant investment of R$108 million directed toward popular preparatory courses (cursinhos) for low-income students, aiming to fund up to 500 such initiatives by 2026. The announcement took place during a São Bernardo do Campo event attended by students, educators, and key government officials, including Education Minister Camilo Santana and Finance Minister Fernando Haddad. These cursinhos, part of the Rede Nacional de Cursinhos Populares (CPOP), are designed to help public school students from vulnerable backgrounds prepare for the Enem, Brazil's National High School Exam, expanding access to higher education for thousands.
Lula emphasized the profound role education plays in improving lives and fostering professional awareness, sharing his personal story of rising from poverty to presidency through educational opportunities, stating, "I was the first to have a car and a house all because of a course. If it was possible for me, it is possible for you." He expressed his belief that education offers autonomy and social mobility, particularly for women facing domestic violence, and stressed that no nation has advanced without investing in education.
Alongside the funding announcement, Lula called for greater youth participation in politics, warning that political disengagement could lead to governance by those with vested interests. He criticized the concentration of wealth and the political impunity some elites enjoy, urging young people to rebel against systems perpetuating inequality. Lula also articulated a vision for a unified Latin American educational identity, advocating for a "doctrine" that connects teachers and students continent-wide, empowering Brazil and its regional partners to export knowledge and intelligence rather than just commodities.
Previously, the government had allocated R$74 million to support 384 cursinhos benefitting over 12,100 students, with each initiative receiving up to R$163,200 for staffing and support. The upcoming December CPOP public notice aims to expand this reach to more projects and beneficiaries. The event also included open classes by renowned educators, including Sônia Guimarães, Brazil’s first black woman with a doctorate in physics.
Lula, nearing 80, affirmed his readiness to govern with insights drawn from his life experience, encouraging Brazil’s youth to engage fully in shaping their country’s future through education and political activism.