Brazilian Educational System Essay -- Education, Faith Schools

Whereas, there are few researches related to the impact of non-Christian students in Christian institutions, this study was designed to present the perceptions of insiders to the Brazilian educational system instead of the usual outside perspective. Therefore, were chosen as subject Adventist schools in the North of Brazil due to their expressive number of non-Adventist students enrolled there. The aim of this basic qualitative study is to investigate the characteristics of these schools in particular from denominational and educational leaders’ perceptions about the elevated number of non-believer there. Naturally, methods of data collection used in this study were semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and statistical documents from the funding institution. The research questions arising from the above objective were as follows: 1. What are the reasons for enrollment of the non-Adventist students in Adventist schools? 2. What dangers and/or advantages for Adventist schools with high number of students who do not profess the same values and beliefs? 3. What kind of actions can be taken to solve or soften this trend? REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE The expansion on the number of enrollees from other religious denominations or beliefs is a phenomenon perceived by faith schools. Although the debate between the evangelistic and protective social function of the crest schools yet persist in some academic circles, in many places around the world economic, legal, and cultural factors have impact. Tevni, Grajales, & Leon (2010) conducted a study in SDA schools with students and parents from diverse religious beliefs in Chile. They found out that both SDA and Evangelical parents contribute on ratings of emphasis on educati... ...o make distinction in the admission of students based upon race, gender, nationality, religion, or ethnic origin, students from different backgrounds have been enrolled in Adventist schools. Based on statistic report of Education Department of North Brazilian Union, the Low Amazon Conference's schools have presented an increase in number of students in all decades except in 1990s to 2000s where were lost of 1953 students in elementary-level. It happened due to economic crisis from 1996 to 2003 that led to the closure of several small schools (Azevedo, 2005). In 2010, were enrolled 6.715 students from pre-school to high school in eight elementary and two secondary schools where 77% of students belonging to other faiths and ideologies. For this study was included the secondary classes of the recent inaugurated Adventist Amazon College, located in Benevides, Parà ¡.