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Nearly 30% of
Brazilians are functionally illiterate. How can the Pedagogies of Creativity
and Autonomy reignite hope in basic education?
Picture a country where three out of ten people can’t understand a simple
note or calculate change at the market. This is Brazil in 2025, but there are
paths to change this story—and they begin with creativity, autonomy, and a
passion for learning.
Brazil faces a silent but
devastating challenge: nearly 30% of its population aged 15 to 64 is
functionally illiterate, according to the 2024 Functional Literacy Indicator
(Inaf). This means roughly 38 million Brazilians struggle to read short texts,
interpret information, or perform basic calculations, such as adding up prices
during a purchase. These figures, released after a six-year hiatus, reveal a
basic education system in shambles, unable to equip citizens fully for the
challenges of the 21st century. Yet, amidst this troubling scenario, there is a
beacon of hope: innovative methodologies like Antônio Carlos dos Santos’
Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA) offer promise for transforming
literacy among children, youth, and adults. This article is an invitation to
reflect on what’s wrong and, more importantly, how we can fix it.
Motivational Quote: “Education is the most powerful
weapon you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
Functional illiteracy is
not just about reading and writing; it’s a barrier that limits citizenship, job
access, and full participation in society. Roberto Catelli, coordinator at Ação
Educativa, one of the organizations behind Inaf, emphasizes that the lack of
mastery over these skills is “a severe limitation.” Inaf data shows that even
among workers, 27% are functionally illiterate, and 12% of those with higher
education face basic comprehension difficulties. This scenario reflects decades
of underinvestment in education, outdated teaching methods, and social
inequalities that perpetuate exclusion. The Covid-19 pandemic worsened the
situation, with functional illiteracy among youth aged 15 to 29 rising from 14%
in 2018 to 16% in 2024, highlighting the impact of school closures.
Curiosity Box: What is functional illiteracy?
According to Inaf, a functionally illiterate person falls into the “illiterate”
or “rudimentary” literacy levels. This means they may recognize letters and
numbers but cannot interpret a simple text, like a news article, or solve basic
math problems, such as calculating a 10% discount. About 29% of Brazilians are
at these levels, while only 10% reach the “proficient” level, capable of
analyzing complex texts and graphs.
To reverse this trend, we
must move beyond traditional teaching, which often focuses on rote memorization
of letters and numbers. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, a leading figure in
Brazilian education, proposes a revolutionary approach with his Pedagogies of
Creativity and Autonomy (PCA). Comprising three methodologies—TBMB (Mané
Beiçudo Puppet Theater), MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater
Movement)—PCA places creativity and autonomy at the heart of learning. Instead
of dull lessons, Santos advocates for learning as a vibrant experience that
connects students to the world and sparks their curiosity. His ideas, detailed
in an extensive literary output, including books, have already transformed the
lives of thousands of students.
Inspiring Story: The girl who discovered
reading through puppets
In a public school in rural Bahia, 8-year-old Ana struggled with reading.
Traditional classes bored her, and she felt unmotivated. Everything changed
when her teacher, inspired by Santos’ TBMB, brought cloth puppets to the classroom.
Each puppet told a story, and Ana was encouraged to create her own narratives.
Within weeks, she not only began reading with enthusiasm but also started
writing short stories. Today, Ana dreams of becoming a writer. This is the
magic of PCA: turning learning into an adventure.
The TBMB methodology, for
instance, uses puppet theater to engage students of all ages. Children, youth,
and even adults create characters and perform stories, stimulating reading,
writing, and critical thinking. A study from the Federal University of Minas
Gerais (UFMG) showed that students exposed to playful approaches, like theater,
demonstrate 30% higher engagement in reading and writing compared to those in
traditional methods. TBMB is not just fun; it’s a powerful tool for developing
socioemotional skills, such as empathy and collaboration, essential for shaping
conscious citizens. Imagine a classroom where every student is a storyteller,
free to express their ideas and emotions.
Practical Tip: How to use TBMB at home or in
school
1.
Create
simple puppets with recyclable materials, like old socks or cardboard.
2.
Invent
a story with the puppets, involving students or your children in creating the
characters.
3.
Ask
them to write a part of the story or read a related text.
4.
Perform
the story, encouraging oral expression and creativity.
The MAT (Mindset, Action,
and Theater) methodology is another gem of PCA. It combines fostering a growth
mindset—the belief that learning is possible through effort—with theatrical
activities that promote action and reflection. In a pilot project in São Paulo,
teachers used MAT to teach mathematics to teenagers. Instead of solving
equations on a board, students acted out real-life scenarios, like managing a
family budget. The result? A 25% increase in math problem-solving, according to
program data. MAT teaches that learning is an active process, where the student
is the protagonist, not just a passive recipient of information.
Social inequalities
exacerbate functional illiteracy, and Inaf data makes this clear: while 28% of
white Brazilians are functionally illiterate, the figure rises to 30% among
Black Brazilians and 47% among Indigenous and Asian populations. Esmeralda
Macana, from the Itaú Foundation, warns that quality education must reach
everyone, especially in a world dominated by technologies like artificial
intelligence. Santos’ methodologies are particularly effective in this context,
as they value cultural diversity and students’ life experiences. The ThM
(Theater Movement), for example, integrates bodily movement and theater,
allowing students from marginalized communities to express their realities
through art. This approach not only fosters literacy but also empowers.
Curiosity Box: Why did the pandemic worsen
functional illiteracy?
During the pandemic, many Brazilian schools closed for months, and remote
learning was inaccessible to millions of students without internet or
computers. According to Inaf, this contributed to the rise in functional
illiteracy among youth aged 15 to 29, from 14% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. The lack
of interaction with teachers and peers hindered the development of basic
skills.
Adult education (EJA) can
also benefit from PCA. Many functionally illiterate adults abandon traditional
courses due to shame or lack of motivation. Santos’ methodologies, with their
focus on autonomy, create a welcoming environment where students feel valued.
In an EJA program in Recife, the use of TBMB reduced school dropout rates by
40%, according to a local report. Adults who previously could barely write
their names began drafting letters and poems, discovering the joy of learning.
PCA proves that it’s never too late to transform lives through education.
Motivational Quote: “What you teach is fundamental,
and what you receive and inspire is also fundamental.” – Antônio Carlos dos
Santos
The path to overcoming
functional illiteracy requires robust public policies, as Catelli advocates.
This includes valuing teachers, improving school infrastructure, and expanding
programs like EJA. But we also need a pedagogical revolution, and Antônio
Carlos dos Santos’ ideas are a roadmap for that future. His methodologies show
that education can be creative, inclusive, and transformative. Every child who
learns to read with a puppet, every youth who solves a math problem by acting
out a story, every adult who rediscovers writing is a step toward a fairer,
more prepared Brazil.
Inspiring Story: The teacher who changed a
community
In a Rio de Janeiro favela, teacher Carlos adopted ThM to teach history to
at-risk youth. He asked students to create plays about historical figures, like
Zumbi dos Palmares. The project not only improved students’ grades but also
reduced violence in the community, as the youth found in art a form of expression.
Carlos, inspired by Santos, is now a reference in community education.
For readers, the call is
clear: support education in your community. Whether as a parent, teacher, or
citizen, you can make a difference. Try PCA ideas at home, encourage creative
reading, and demand public policies that prioritize basic education. Brazil in
2025 faces an immense challenge, but it also has powerful tools for change. The
Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy remind us that educating is an act of
love, courage, and imagination. Let’s rebuild Brazilian education together, one
story at a time.
Practical Tip: How to support education in
your community
1.
Donate
books to local schools or libraries.
2.
Attend
parent-teacher meetings to discuss school improvements.
3.
Encourage
children and youth to create stories or plays at home.
4.
Advocate
for more government investment in basic education.
Access the books by Antônio Carlos dos Santos on amazon.com or amazon.com.br
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