“Brazil: Land of education” is the new Rousseff motto

In her inaugural address in Congress, President Dilma Rousseff said her new administration will be guided by the motto, “Brazil: Land of education”. She said the slogan was simple and straightforward and conveys very clearly what the government's priority will be, besides giving a hint of what the focus of the government's efforts in all areas will be.

“We say that education is the top priority, but we, too, must try to guide all our actions as a government by a sense of ethics and of being a role-model in everything we do,” she said adding that only education can ensure freedom for the nation and open the doors into the future.

Rousseff advocated quality education at all levels and for all segments of the society. She noted that oil royalties and other resources derived from the pre-salt oil production should ensure additional funding for education in her second administration.

“We will seek to partner with state governments to change the school curricula and improve teacher training,” Rousseff said conceding that this is a weakness in Brazil's education system. She promised to bring a special focus on government policies to improve access to technical training. “Brazil will continue to be a world leader in terms of social policies.”

Translated by Mayra Borges