Accelerating Futures: Why youth and adult education and ENCCEJA are indispensable

By: Kelly Baptista, president of Fundação 1Bi.

With less than a month to go before the ENCCEJA (National Exam for the Certification of Skills of Young People and Adults) exam, Brazil still faces the daunting challenge of millions of adults who did not complete basic education at the age considered "ideal." 

Youth and Adult Education (EJA) emerges as a powerful solution for reversing this reality, creating opportunities for people to return to school and reintegrate into society. In addition, preparation for the National Exam for the Certification of Skills of Young People and Adults (ENCCEJA) strengthens this movement, serving as a milestone that enables the official completion of studies. By investing in EJA and ENCCEJA, the country not only promotes social and economic inclusion, but also paves the way for progress.

This educational program provides individuals with the tools they need to shape their own paths and even inspire their families. Certification obtained through EJA opens doors to better employment opportunities as well as access to higher and technical education, broadening the horizons of millions of Brazilians.

However, for EJA and ENCCEJA to have a significant impact, structural challenges must be overcome. These programs require adequate funding, curricula that engage with adults' real needs, and emotional and psychoeducational support for students. Only through education policies that prioritize these demands will it be possible to maximize the benefits generated by EJA and its tools.

Since 2022, Fundação 1Bi, in partnership with iFood, has developed a digital tool featuring the virtual tutor “Mai.” Using artificial intelligence, Mai assists students through practice tests, tips, and 24-hour support via WhatsApp. The initiative is aimed at delivery workers, owners, and employees of iFood partner establishments, as well as their family members who participate in the "My High School Diploma" program—more than 11,000 people have already graduated with the initiative's support.

Partnerships among municipalities, states, companies, and NGOs can also expand the reach and effectiveness of these efforts. Working together with other sectors, such as healthcare and social assistance, helps minimize students' personal and socioeconomic obstacles, contributing to their performance and continued enrollment in their studies.

Investing in EJA and preparation for ENCCEJA is a strategic investment in the country's human capital. With effective public policies and an engaged civil society, it will be possible to build a fairer and more prosperous Brazil, where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, contributing their skills and talents to collective growth.