Brasília - The National Fund for Educational Development (FNDE) has already completed the purchase of the textbooks that will be used in the National Textbook Program (PNLD) in 2005. Over 93 million books will be made available to the 35 million children who study in the country's public schools. "We reached an excellent agreement that made it possible for both sides to concretize the program for 2005," pointed out the President of the FNDE, José Henrique Paim.

The FNDE, an organ linked to the Ministry of Education (MEC) and responsible for acquisitions, spent US$ 216 million (R$ 620 million) on books that will be distributed to students in the 5th to 8th grades, in Portuguese, mathematics, science, history, and geography. In addition, 3 million students in the first year of high school in public schools in the North and Northeast regions will receive books in Portuguese and mathematics. "One of the big challenges in expanding textbook distribution is the expansion of secondary education around the country," he affirmed.

Altogether, 13 publishers participated in the textbook procurement process and should send the material directly to the schools. The FNDE expects that delivery of the textbooks will begin in December. The process will run through the end of January, by which time all schools should have received the instructional materials.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Marina Domingos
Translator: David Silberstein
09/22/2004