Brazil's Pé-de-Meia program highlighted in documentary on public high schools

A documentary titled "Desafios do Ensino Médio" was released on 1 July, produced by Canal Educação, the Ministry of Education’s TV channel. It brings together specialists, school managers, educators and students to discuss challenges in the final stage of Brazil’s basic education, including school retention, educational inequalities, the impact of the recent high‑school reform and related public policies.

The film spotlights the Pé‑de‑Meia program, launched in January 2024 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The initiative provides a financial incentive, functioning as a linked savings account, to students enrolled in public high schools who stay in school and complete their studies. Aimed at reducing dropout among vulnerable youth, the programme has, according to the Ministry of Education, benefited 7.2 million students at a cost of R$ 21 billion. The funds help purchase school supplies, pay for ENEM preparation courses and support family expenses, lessening the need for early work.

The documentary also highlights broader issues such as student anxiety, social‑media pressure and aspirations for higher education, while underscoring how socioeconomic factors remain decisive for school abandonment. It references complementary access programmes such as the Student Financing Fund (FIES) and the role of the ENEM exam as a gateway to university.