Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced the launch of the National Strategy for Computer-Enabled Schools programme, which is designed to fundamentally change access to education in Brazil.

The government plans to connect 138,400 schools across the country by 2026. The schools are expected to have new computer labs, tablets, high-tech Wi-Fi and other equipment and technology.

The announcement was made during the “Talk to the President” programme on Gov Channel.

“Today we signed an executive order to create a ‘National Strategy for Computer-Enabled Schools’. We are going to connect 138,400 schools in the country. By 2026, we will provide all our children with high-tech Wi-Fi and everything they need,” said the president.

The total investment amounts to R$8.8 billion (US$1.7 billion) and the plan is to connect all public schools in the country within the next two years.

Most of the funds, about R$6.5 billion, will be allocated to the new Growth Acceleration Programme (Novo PAC) and will go towards connectivity. The National Strategy for Connected Schools covers six main areas: connectivity; environment and devices; governance and digital transformation; digital educational resources; skills and learning; and curriculum.

The remaining R$2.3 billion will be invested in other areas of the programme, with funds coming from the Connected Education Innovation Programme (Piec) and the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT).

During his participation in the programme, Education Minister Camilo Santana noted that currently more than half of Brazilian schools do not have Wi-Fi.

According to Santana, some of them even have some connection, but only in the principal’s office, without access for students and teachers, as reported by Toda Palavra, a partner of TV BRICS.

“The strategy is to set up a committee in which, according to the decree signed, several agencies – the ministries of science and technology, education and civil administration – will participate,” said the minister.

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