The Administrators’ Forum at the 30th edition of Bett Brasil brought together experts from various fields to discuss the main challenges facing educational administration today. The event, aimed at leaders and administrators of public and private basic education institutions, featured more than 30 speakers over the course of the four-day event.

The program featured discussions on the impact of cell phone use in schools, teachers’ mental health, the financial sustainability of educational institutions, and leadership strategies in times of crisis. The Administrators’ Forum was supported by EAI Educa and isaac.

The Impact of Cell Phones and the Age of Hyperconnectivity

During the panel discussion on cell phone use in schools, journalist and educator Alexandre Sayad and Judge Vanessa Cavalieri discussed the effects of hyperconnectivity on the school lives of children and adolescents.

For Sayad, it is urgent to establish digital governance in educational institutions, involving clear policies and collaboration among schools, families, and government. “We live in a hyperconnected world where information moves too fast; we need regulation, media literacy, and parental education to navigate this universe safely,” he said.

He argued that cell phones can be a learning tool, as long as there are clear rules and pedagogical guidance. “We have studies showing that cell phones have saved the education of many students in a country with such deep inequality as ours. We need to envision a multidimensional network that integrates school, digital, and city-based curricula,” he added.

The session featured discussions on the impacts and possibilities of using electronic devices in schools. Photo: Bett Brasil.

Vanessa Cavalieri, meanwhile, warned of the harmful effects of excessive social media use, noting the rise in cases of violence among young people and the growing sense of isolation. “There is a growing increase in violence among children and young people, in addition to tensions and conflicts in the school environment, and this is directly related to cell phone use at school. Studies show that children feel lonely in the school environment; they don’t socialize with one another and spend recess alone, staring at a screen,” she said.

The judge drew a parallel with the rise in cigarette use in the past, stating that the risks of this technology are only now being understood. “When smartphones were first introduced, we didn’t see any danger. Today, we know that we have absolutely no control over what young people access on the internet.” Cavalieri cited an alarming statistic: the suicide rate among girls aged 12 to 14 has increased by 200% over the past decade, with a strong link to the pressures imposed by social media.

She argued that schools should become more welcoming and less punitive environments, strengthening human bonds. She also highlighted the importance of legislation such as Bill 4474/2024, currently under consideration in the Chamber of Deputies, which proposes holding digital platforms accountable for content directed at children and adolescents.

Educational Leadership in Times of Crisis

The challenges of educational management in a context of rapid change were discussed by Mario Ghio, president of the Alfa e Beto Institute, and Thamila Zaher, CEO of the SEB Group. The panel addressed the need for innovation and unity among institutions in the face of what Ghio described as a process of “vilification” of schools.

According to him, there is a growing trend toward judicialization in the relationship between schools and families, with parents turning to the courts to impose educational decisions. “Schools need to unite, even if they are competitors. We have to act collectively to confront threats such as bills that seek to transfer the authority to define educational methodology to parents,” he warned, citing as an example a debate in Belo Horizonte on a bill proposing this change.

Strengthening the bond between family and school was the focus of the discussion among experts. Photo: Bett Brasil.

Thamila emphasized the importance of establishing transparent contracts and channels for direct dialogue with families. “We need to clarify the terms from the outset and hold one-on-one conversations to prevent minor disagreements from escalating on social media or with Procon,” she noted. She also advocated for strengthening the bond between schools and the community through a welcoming approach and dialogue, without compromising pedagogical principles.

Enrollment, Data, and Strategic Financial Management

The financial sustainability of schools, especially during the enrollment period, was the topic of a panel discussion featuring Fernando Barão, a partner at Corus Consultores, and Paula Jorge, the director general of isaac. The experts demonstrated how data-driven management can transform this critical moment into an opportunity for growth.

Barão emphasized the importance of gathering reliable and accessible data to guide decision-making. Among the key indicators, he highlighted: break-even point per class, classroom underutilization, number of visits and conversion to enrollments, discount rates, and re-enrollment tracking. “This information allows us to identify bottlenecks and take precise action,” he said.

Experts discussed the financial sustainability of schools. Photo: Bett Brasil.

Paula added that having daily visibility into this data is essential for strategic decision-making. “Enrollment rates, for example, are a significant source of revenue. Knowing the best time to begin the enrollment process can have a direct impact on results. Technology is an important ally in organizing and interpreting this information,” she said.

Mental Health and School Climate: A Collective Challenge

During the panel discussion “Caring for the Caregivers: Mental Health and School Climate,” Marcia Carvalhinha, educational director of Sistema Objetivo/UNIP , and Vivian Dias, educational director of EAI Educa, drew attention to the high rates of emotional distress among education professionals and argued that institutions must take responsibility for caring for those who lead the classrooms.

Vivian stated that we need to regain an understanding of what mental health is and make it part of our daily educational practice. “When we are emotionally well, we are more motivated to teach and learn. Actively listening to teachers is an essential step toward achieving this,” she explained.

The mental health and well-being of educators was one of the key topics at the Administrators' Forum. Photo: Bett Brasil.

Recent data underscore the urgency of the issue: according to a Unifesp study, one-third of teachers suffer from burnout. Another study by Nova Escola showed that 72% of them report mental health problems in the post-pandemic period. In addition, 61.3% have sleep disorders, according to data from the federal government.

Marcia emphasized that administrators need to acknowledge educators’ emotional distress and provide spaces where they can be heard and supported. “If teachers are unwell, it affects the students and the entire administrative team. The classroom is an ideal setting for recognizing signs of emotional vulnerability—and we also need to listen to families so that the entire school ecosystem can be strengthened,” she said.

She emphasized that we must acknowledge the existence of this situation in classrooms, within families, and among teachers and administrators, so that professionals can receive support and fulfill their roles to the best of their ability.

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