An educational institution in the north of São Paulo surprised everyone by being one of the three finalists in an important global education award, T4 Education. Representing Brazil, Escola Estadual Deputado Pedro Costa did not win the title of “best school in the world”, which went to a school in Buenos Aires. Even so, being among the names considered among more than 100 countries is a great merit for the teachers and managers of the school.
Located in Vila Mazzei, the school has a total of 300 students, who are distributed between the 1st and 5th grades of Elementary School 1. In addition, the students attend full-day classes from 7am to 4pm, with their routine divided between traditional subjects, such as Portuguese Language and Mathematics, and other extracurricular activities, for example: chess and athletics.
Get to know the Deputado Pedro Costa State School
The public institution stands out for its chess and athletics projects, both of which had the support of the NGO Parceiros da Educação during implementation, which is why they competed for the T4 Education award in the ‘Community Collaboration’ category.
Two other actions that have been of great importance to the transformation of Pedro Costa are the Pedagogy of Presence and the Pedagogy of Tutoring. Teachers are instructed to develop strong bonds with the students, as well as guiding the children in their personal, academic and professional lives.
A story that almost had another ending…
In previous years, the state school was at risk of closure, as nearby options in the municipal network offered more benefits for the children, such as tablets, English classes and uniforms, which caused numerous transfers.
In an interview with G1, principal Janaína Freire said that by 2022 there was no prospect of classes continuing there. Until they found a solution: implement the Comprehensive Education Program (PEI) at the school.
Since then, it has been possible to reverse the situation and improve the quality of teaching. In addition to traditional classes, the institution offers chess, athletics, vegetable gardening, cooking, reading and experimental practices for the students, who show interest in the teaching model.