Pernambuco Doubles Science Education Reach Amid National Debate on Human Resources in Technology

Pernambuco's 'Mais Ciência na Escola' program has been strengthened with an additional R$ 7.5 million investment, doubling its reach to 150 schools and impacting 1,500 students across 23 municipalities. This expansion builds on the initial phase launched in 2025 that benefited 75 schools and 750 students mainly in the Sertão region. The initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Pernambuco (UPE) and part of the Rede Mais Ciência na Escola — UPE na Escola, introduces "Mão na Massa" laboratories that foster hands-on scientific learning and emphasize digital literacy.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Luciana Santos highlighted the program’s political commitment to equipping students and teachers with the tools to envision themselves as scientists, stressing that science is driven by people. She also spoke at a roundtable held in Recife discussing the broader challenges Brazil faces in the formation of qualified human resources for science, technology, and innovation.

The roundtable, organized by the Graduate Association of the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), convened government officials, academia, and student representatives to address a significant deficit of qualified professionals in technology. According to Santos, Brazil annually produces 46,000 technology professionals but demands 70,000, leaving a gap of 24,000.

UFPE Rector Alfredo Gomes emphasized that scientific sovereignty depends on strong, well-funded public universities and recognized MCTI’s investment exceeding R$ 100 million in UFPE programs. Elvis Arruda of the National Association of Postgraduates underlined improvements in postgraduates’ rights and advocated for enhanced collaboration between academia and the productive sector.

The discussions also covered initiatives like the "Residência em TIC," which has trained over 60,000 ICT professionals, and "Hackers do Bem," a cybersecurity-focused public policy. These efforts align with the goals of the "Mais Ciência na Escola" program to build a scientific, technologically skilled workforce starting from early education.

With the program’s geographical expansion into municipalities including Buenos Aires, Carpina, and Recife, and the addition of teacher training and scholarships, Pernambuco positions itself as a key player in nurturing Brazil’s scientific talent. The ongoing commitment from government and educational institutions aims to tackle Brazil's human resource deficits and foster equitable scientific development nationwide.