MOBRAL

MOBRAL, an acronym for Movimento Brasileiro de Alfabetização (Brazilian Literacy Movement), was a literacy program implemented in Brazil during the military dictatorship (1964-1985). Established in 1967 and lasting until 1985, MOBRAL aimed to reduce illiteracy rates among the Brazilian population, particularly in rural areas and among impoverished communities.

The program utilized a simplified literacy method and employed a large number of volunteer teachers, often untrained individuals who received brief instruction. MOBRAL offered basic education, vocational training, and community development initiatives. It was centrally controlled and funded by the federal government.

While MOBRAL reached millions of Brazilians, it faced criticism regarding the quality of its instruction, its focus on rote learning, and its use as a propaganda tool by the military regime. Critics argued that the program prioritized quantity over quality and failed to provide students with a deep understanding of literacy and numeracy. Furthermore, its top-down approach and lack of community involvement limited its long-term effectiveness.

Despite its limitations, MOBRAL represented a significant effort to address widespread illiteracy in Brazil during a period of rapid social and economic change. The program was eventually replaced by other literacy initiatives after the end of the military dictatorship, seeking to improve upon MOBRAL's shortcomings and adopt more participatory and effective approaches to adult education.