Written by Isabella Harumi, first place winner of the Teens Dream Video Changemaker Challenge for her video on SDG 4: Quality Education, through her organization Tocando em Frente in Brazil.
In Brazil, school dropout is not a recent phenomenon but a long-standing, complex challenge deeply rooted in social, economic, and cultural inequalities. Behind every student who leaves school, there is almost always a structural barrier—early pregnancy, financial pressure, domestic responsibilities, or the lack of access to opportunities that make education feel meaningful.
According to the Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios Contínua (PNAD Contínua/IBGE), more than 2.2 million adolescents aged 11 to 19 are currently out of school in Brazil. These figures are not just statistics; they reflect daily struggles in which survival often takes precedence over education.
In the North and Northeast regions, for example, adolescents—especially young women—are more vulnerable to school abandonment due to early pregnancy and unpaid domestic work. In urban peripheries, many young people drop out to help support their families financially. In these contexts, education is often seen not as a right, but as a luxury.
Contrary to the common belief that dropout is a result of disinterest or lack of commitment, studies show a different reality. A 2021 report by Instituto Unibanco and Fundação Santillana found that students’ aspirations and expectations are key predictors of academic success and persistence. When young people do not see themselves reflected in the curriculum, or when schools fail to offer opportunities for personal or professional development, disengagement follows.
What we face, then, is not only an educational challenge—but a crisis of inspiration and access.
Tocando em Frente is a nonprofit organization working across Brazil to prevent school dropout by delivering a transformative curriculum. Powered by a network of more than 150 volunteers aged 13 to 25, the initiative reimagines public education—turning classrooms into spaces of imagination, growth, and purpose.
At the core of the program is a two-month educational journey that begins with an interactive workshop designed to open new horizons for students. It is followed by weekly, gamified modules focused on real-world skills and possibilities:
- 🎓 English & Exchange Programs
- 📰 Arts & Journalism
- 🤖 Programming & Robotics
- 🌍 Debate & UN Simulations
- 🔬 Research & Academic Olympiads
- 🤝 Volunteering & Community Action
These modules are aligned with Brazil’s national curriculum (BNCC) and promote both academic and socio-emotional competencies such as critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, and responsibility.
Research shows that students’ academic trajectories are shaped by the goals they set for themselves—goals often limited by socioeconomic barriers. Tocando em Frente addresses this gap by expanding access to inspiration and opportunity, especially for youth from underprivileged communities.
Volunteers are carefully selected and complete a three-month training process focused on curriculum implementation, classroom dynamics, and safety protocols. Often just a few years older than the students they mentor, these young facilitators serve as relatable role models and guides.
We monitor outcomes through academic indicators, attendance rates, and feedback from students and educators. Participants report increased motivation, improved engagement, and a stronger sense of belonging in school. Schools report a more collaborative climate and fewer behavioral issues. To evaluate long-term effectiveness, we collect data through surveys, focus groups, and final assessments, where students apply their learning to real-life challenges. Our goal is to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in attendance and academic engagement in participating schools.
Currently, Tocando em Frente reaches over 13,000 students in 17 states across all regions of Brazil. This is made possible by a network of 40 regional directors, each committed to making school a space where every dream is welcomed—and possible.
The Global Co Lab Network empowers teens around the world to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through its free virtual programs. Learn more here about how teens take action on SDG 4: Quality Education, and follow the Co Lab’s work on Instagram @GlobalCoLabNetwork.
