For many in Brazil, one word sums up the homeschooling movement: imparável, or “unstoppable” in English. Despite pressure from the government, prosecutions, fines, and court orders, the homeschool community in the largest Latin American country is growing, vibrant, and committed.
“Your fight is our inspiration,” a Brazilian homeschooling leader told me, speaking to the US homeschooling community. “We move forward with no fear, with a lot of effort, for the freedom of our children.”
Homeschool freedom looked set to expand in Brazil just a few years ago. But a national election in 2022 resulted in a federal government that is hostile to homeschooling. Now we are getting disturbing reports from homeschooling families of an increase in judicial pressure against them. Here’s what happened.
Homeschooling advocates and opponents watched closely in 2018 when the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled on a case in which a homeschooling family was charged with truancy. Expectations were high, and the outlook seemed good for homeschool freedom.