Members of Brazilian EI affiliate the CNTE took to the streets in force to mark the 4th national march for education on 25th April; an initiative organised as part of the National Week in Defence and Promotion of Public Education.
After meeting with representatives of the CNTE, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled details of a $4bn plan to improve standards of education across the country.
Lula said he hoped this would be the start of a new century of education in Brazil. However, earlier the same week, more than 70 schools had to close in one state in the north east of the country because they were unsafe for use.
Concern about educational standards is widespread in Brazilian society, and the implementation of this plan will be watched carefully to see if it lives up to its promise.