Brazil
Strengthening systemic support for school leadership
School leadership has been increasingly recognized as a key driver of educational improvement in Brazil, especially in reducing deep-rooted inequities and improving learning outcomes. Educational reforms over the years in the country have underscored the critical role school and system leaders play in ensuring that all children receive a quality education.
Since 2021, we have partnered with Centro Lemann, a national organization committed to transforming basic education through school leadership. Together, we support school and municipal leaders across the country to lead more equitable, data-driven schools that place student learning at the center.
Our Work with Centro Lemann
Centro Lemann champions equitable learning in basic education worldwide. The organization trains educational leaders, supports research, and fosters cross-national coalitions. Inspired by Sobral, Ceará, and the Lemann Foundation, Centro Lemann is independent and non-partisan. Currently, they engage with 2,516 school leaders, poised to impact 781,955 students in Brazil.
Training school leaders
At the heart of our partnership was Centro Lemann’s two-year training program for school leaders, designed to:
-
Reduce racial inequalities in education
-
Strengthen pedagogical leadership
-
Build a shared system-wide vision
-
Improve data use and school operations
​
The program brought school and municipal leaders together to collectively define local goals and strategies. It combined in-person workshops, virtual training, coaching, and peer learning, enabling participants to expand their commitment to equity and apply practical leadership tools at scale.
​
The LAC Hub for School Leadership
Centro Lemann is one of the funding partners of the Latin America and the Caribbean School Leadership Hub for School Leadership (LAC Hub), a regional network of organizations working to professionalize and strengthen school leadership. The LAC Hub brings together research, policy, and practice to influence systemic change and elevate school leadership across the region. Learn more about the LAC Hub.
​
Video Series: Students First​
'Students First: Brazil' tells the inspiring story of Sobral, a small city in northeastern Brazil that soared to the top of national education rankings in 2017, having started at 1,366th place in 2005. Sobral's success showcases the power of effective school leadership.​ The series highlights how Sobral's school leaders, through merit-based selection, continuous training by GSL's Brazil partner Centro Lemann, and data-driven practices, have transformed their schools, fostering an environment where students excel.​
Learn More
