Brazil's Pontes para o Mundo selects 400 public‑school students for overseas exchanges

The Pontes para o Mundo program, run by the Federal District Education Secretariat (SEEDF), began its second edition by administering foreign‑language proficiency exams that will determine the 400 public‑school students who will study abroad in Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom. The first edition in 2025 sent 101 students to the United Kingdom; this year the programme quadrupled its slots and added three new destinations. Exams were held simultaneously in 13 of the 14 regional education coordinations, with 127 candidates taking the test on the first day, representing 99.8% of those registered. The assessment covers reading, speaking, writing and interpretation in English, French or Spanish, and accommodations were made for students with special educational needs. Successful participants will receive full scholarships, pre‑departure preparation, and ongoing pedagogical and psychological support. Interim education secretary Iêdes Soares Braga praised the expansion and encouraged candidates, emphasizing the transformative potential of the experience.