The 2025 School Census released by the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (Inep) reveals a stark contradiction in Brazil's educational landscape: while the overall enrollment in basic education has dropped by 1 million students in the past year, both technical education and comprehensive education have been on the rise. Comprehensive education, which requires students to spend a minimum of 35 hours per week in school, is being seen as a critical strategy to combat student drop-out rates by fostering stronger connections between students and their school communities. It simultaneously aims to enhance the pedagogical, cultural, sports, and civic education of children and adolescents, while also providing them with extended time to reinforce essential skills in reading and mathematics.

On the other hand, technical education, particularly as it is integrated into Brazil's new high school curriculum, is playing a vital role in equipping young people with necessary vocational skills. This integration allows students to receive a dual education that prepares them for the workforce while continuing their academic studies. Given the current unfavorable scenario for basic education, these two areas—comprehensive and technical education—are emerging as essential pillars for a more resilient educational framework that seeks to combat not just enrollment declines but also issues like societal violence that disproportionately affect youth.

The continuing growth in these areas indicates potential pathways towards improvement in Brazil's educational system, suggesting that even amid challenges, there are opportunities for reform and enhancement. As policymakers and educational leaders respond to this census data, focusing efforts on expanding comprehensive and technical education may offer a crucial means of addressing broader social issues through educational engagement and vocational preparedness.