Brasília, 2/6/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Education, Cristovam Buarque, has signed protocols of intention with the state of Paraíba, the Municipal Union of Teaching Managers (Undime), the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPb), State University of Paraíba and other institutions with the objective of providing 150,000 illiterate people in 220 municipals in the state with an opportunity to learn to read and write.

Buarque also announced that he is looking for partners in the effort to construct the ideal school. "This requires training teachers, ensuring that children have school, and that the schools have good installations," said the minister. (AB)