Expansion without equity: An analysis of current policy on access to higher education in Brazil |
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| Authors: | Tristan McCowan |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, WC1H OAL London, UK |
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| Abstract: | Access to higher education in Brazil is to a large extent restricted to the higher socio-economic groups. Public universities
have limited places and entry is determined by highly competitive exams, thereby excluding those who have not had a high quality
secondary education or attended an expensive preparatory course. There has been considerable growth in the private sector
to absorb the excess demand, but the majority of Brazilians cannot afford the fees. This paper develops a concept of equity
in higher education in which, firstly, there should be sufficient places in the system as a whole and, secondly, all people
should have a fair opportunity of attending the university of their choice regardless of socio-economic background. Recent
efforts to expand access are analysed, including incentives for the growth of private universities, student loans and the
new Prouni initiative, in which private institutions provide free places to low-income students in return for tax exemptions.
While these initiatives have the potential to increase the total number of places, they will not lead to an equitable expansion,
as disadvantaged students will still be confined to courses of lower quality or with lower subsequent value on the employment
market. Initiatives aimed at the public sector such as the introduction of quotas and changes to entry examinations are also
discussed. Finally, some implications for future policy development are outlined.
An earlier version of this paper was presented at the World Congress of Comparative Education Societies, Havana, 25th–29th
October 2004. |
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| Keywords: | access Brazil equity expansion higher education policy private universities public universities |
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