D-Notícias

An innovative experience in government education in São Paulo drew the attention of the Instituto Desiderata. In the Butantã district of the São Paulo State capital, the Amorim Lima Municipal School broke down the walls of its classrooms and set up a participative board whose members include parents, teachers and students, reaching out to the local community and changing its educational guidelines.

This school based its educational proposal on the methodology designed by the Ponte School in Portugal. Having identified problems related to the lack of teachers and the classroom setting in general, this project was conceptualised by the school itself together with the parents of its pupils and the neighbouring community, supported by the Municipal Education Bureau.

For its head teacher Ana Elisa Siqueira, it all began with the physical changes to the school and the introduction of cultural activities, which today houses two Culture Centres, under a project run by the Ministry of Culture. Now open on week-ends, this school offers space and facilities for all. These changes were possible with the firm engagement of the parents, urged on enthusiastically by their children: “In a regular classroom, we look at the back of our classmates’ heads, while here we face each other,” said the pupil who served as a guide during the visit.