Brasília, November 20, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazilian higher education reached the mark of three million enrollments in 2001. This number surpasses the goal established in 1998 by the Ministry of Education (MEC), which planned to attain 2.7 million students in 2002.

"The result is exalting and significant. I attribute this expansion to the improvement of secondary education and to the expansion of the system of higher education," observed the minister of Education, Paulo Renato.

The rhythm of growth in higher education in 2001 was highest in the North region, with a 23% increase over 2001, followed by the Southeast region, with 12%. The 2001 higher education census also reveals that 57% of the students attend night classes, and 56% are women. These results were released today by the minister of Education. (DAS)