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The 2022 Pisa results have highlighted Chile as Latin America’s top contender in terms of educational performance. While Brazil continues to struggle and has shown little improvement since 2009, Chile has consistently ranked first among Latin American nations participating in the Pisa test. Despite the drop in scores due to the pandemic, Chile managed to come out on top in the region.
One of the key factors contributing to Chile’s success is the implementation of various measures that have not been adopted in Brazil. These include standards and quality control, decentralization of administration, and a focus on training and recruiting better teachers. These strategies have allowed Chile to surpass other Latin American nations and maintain its leading position.
Both Chile and Brazil allocate 6% of their GDP to education. However, in recent years, Chile has shown improvement in its performance, while Brazil has remained stagnant. In the PISA 2022 exam, Chilean students scored 412 in arithmetic, 448 in reading, and 444 in science, while Brazilian students scored 379 in math, 410 in reading, and 403 in science. Although Chile is in a more comfortable position compared to Brazil, as it is closer to the performance of better-positioned nations, both countries still have a long way to go in terms of educational excellence.
One area where Chile outperforms Brazil is in mathematics proficiency. The percentage of Chilean students who do not grasp the minimum mathematical skills needed for daily activities is significantly lower compared to Brazil. In terms of reading, a higher percentage of Brazilians fail to attain basic reading levels compared to Chileans. Similarly, a higher percentage of Brazilians lack the minimum scientific knowledge for their age group compared to Chileans.
Chile’s journey towards educational excellence began in 2000 when Chilean students participated in Pisa for the first time. They scored 410 in the reading portion of the exam that year. After sitting out the 2003 edition, Chile took part in the evaluation again in 2006 and saw a 32-point improvement in reading scores. Since then, Chile has maintained its Level 2 status, which is better than other Latin American nations but still below the OECD average.
One significant difference between Chile and Brazil lies in their approaches to education. Chile has a rigorous evaluation system and a curriculum that is more prescriptive compared to Brazil. Brazil, on the other hand, lacks a comprehensive evaluation system and a well-defined curriculum. Education expert Ilona Becskeházy argues that Brazil can learn from Chile’s example by seeking advice from the OECD on how to best implement educational policies.
Chile’s commitment to education is reflected in its constant public discussion and policies aimed at improving the conditions and learning outcomes of its students. Public and private funds in Chile support organizations like Elige Educar, which focus on recruiting academically gifted youth and developing strategies to retain experienced educators.
A significant reform in Chile’s educational system has been decentralization, which has played a crucial role in its advancement. This decentralization has given more power to students, allowing for flexibility in curriculum and addressing specific needs in different areas. In contrast, Brazil’s educational system largely relies on federal government initiatives, and there is a need for greater autonomy and flexibility at the local and state levels.
To further improve educational outcomes, there is a need to strengthen teacher preparation programs in both Chile and Brazil. In Chile, data collected by Elige Educar has contributed to the discussion around improving teacher preparation programs. In Brazil, research has shown that the majority of pedagogy students scored below the national average. Initiatives like the “I want to be a Prof.” program in Chile provide support and guidance to students considering a career in teaching.
In conclusion, Chile has emerged as Latin America’s top contender in education, surpassing other nations in the region. The country’s focus on standards and quality control, decentralization, and teacher training has contributed to its success. Brazil, on the other hand, has struggled to improve its educational performance and can learn from Chile’s example. Strengthening teacher preparation programs and increasing autonomy at the local level are areas that both countries need to address to achieve greater educational excellence.
