Brazil, known for its unique landscape of both rainforests and beaches, continues to face educational challenges. Low-income families are hardest hit, as functional illiteracy remains a major concern, with about 29% of the population aged 15 to 64 unable to perform basic reading and writing tasks effectively1. For children with disabilities and special needs, these challenges are even more pronounced, as the education system often lacks the resources, trained staff, and inclusive infrastructure necessary to support their learning and development. 63.1% Brazilians aged 25 and over with disabilities did not complete primary education, compared to only 32.3% among those without disabilities2.
Pernambuco, one of the earliest settled states in Brazil, is a state where the educational barriers for children with special needs are especially pronounced. Public schools and community centers lack specialized classrooms, adaptive learning materials, and trained professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and special education teachers. The Pernambuco public school system reported in 2023 that nearly 9,000 students with disabilities or disorders were enrolled in school3. This number is now over 10,000 and there are only about 700 people hired to assist these children without special facilities designed to directly help them4. Families in low-income neighborhoods particularly struggle to find the appropriate educational services, which limits these children’s ability to participate fully in school and community life5. Without the access to tailored support, children with disabilities face greater risks of social exclusion and missed opportunities for growth.
HXP Builders will construct 3 new specialized classrooms at Escola Municipal Pro Menor, increasing the school’s capacity from about 400 to 530 students. The school currently has two shifts, morning and afternoon, with 90 special needs students per shift (totaling 180 students). These classrooms will provide a bigger space for all of these children to have better opportunities to learn and progress. This project will allow local children and their families to improve their access to education, which is necessary to break the cycle of poverty and improve their quality of life. By investing in education, HXP Builders hopes to create opportunities for more children to have a brighter future and where every child, including those with special needs, can reach their full potential.
Sources:
1 LNG
2 IBGE
3 JC