The Northeast is one of the most dynamic regions in Brazilian education. In recent years, indicators of learning quality, the expansion of full-time education, and initiatives in educational innovation have shown that states in the Northeast occupy a prominent position on the national stage.

It is against this backdrop that the fifth edition of the Bett Nordeste Conference will take place in Recife (PE) on August 19 and 20, bringing together educators, administrators, experts, and government officials to discuss the future of public and private education.

Organized by Bett Brasil, the event will be held at the Recife Expo Center under the central theme “Intelligence in Action: Experiences That Transform Education.” It is expected to bring together more than 3,000 participants and feature approximately 50 exhibiting brands and 70 speakers.

The choice of Pernambuco’s capital to host another edition of the event is directly linked to the progress observed in the region. Across various indicators, the Northeast has shown results that challenge old stereotypes and reveal educational experiences capable of inspiring educators from across the country.

“The Northeast has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to develop innovative educational solutions. The Bett Northeast Conference was created precisely to highlight these experiences, promote the exchange of knowledge, and strengthen dialogue among the various stakeholders who shape education every day,” says Claudia Valério, executive director of Bett Brasil.

Educational Quality Indicators

The results of the latest Basic Education Development Index (Ideb) help illustrate this scenario. Data released by the Anísio Teixeira National Institute for Educational Studies and Research (Inep) in 2024 show that Brazil had 21 public schools that received the highest score in the early grades of elementary school. All of them are located in the Northeast region.

Ceará tops the rankings, with 15 schools that earned a score of 10. Alagoas follows, with five schools, while Pernambuco rounds out the list with one school. The results reinforce the national recognition earned by Northeastern states for promoting learning and student retention.

Another statistic that highlights the region’s strength relates to the expansion of full-time education. According to data from the first phase of the 2025 School Census, enrollment in this program reached 25.8% of Brazilian public basic education, exceeding for the first time the target set by the National Education Plan (PNE).

The states of the Northeast played a decisive role in this progress. Piauí reached 56.5% enrollment in full-time public schools for early childhood education, elementary school, and high school, while Ceará recorded 53.1%. In regular high school, Piauí’s performance is even more striking: 75.1% of public school students attend full-time schools.

Ceará also saw significant growth in the final years of elementary school. Between 2021 and 2025, the percentage of full-time enrollments jumped from 34.3% to 74.9%, reflecting a consistent policy of extending the school day.

Pernambuco and the Northeast's Leading Role in Education

For José Ricardo Diniz, president of the Union of Educational Institutions in the State of Pernambuco (Sinepe-PE), the recent results confirm a significant shift in the region’s position within the Brazilian educational debate. Sinepe-PE is a co-organizer of the Bett Nordeste Conference.

“The most recent educational data confirm the Northeast’s growing prominence on the national stage. Pernambuco is one example of this trend, reaffirming its leadership position in the country,” he says.

He highlights the state’s strong performance in terms of full-time enrollment rates in public basic education. “Currently, about 69.6% of students in the state school system are enrolled in full-time high school, a rate well above the national average. The state has also shown consistent growth in vocational education and in indicators of student retention and academic progress.”

José Ricardo Diniz, president of SINEPE-PE. Photo: Courtesy.

The official also points out that educational development in the region is not limited to public school systems. “Throughout the region, we are seeing institutional strengthening of private schools, with increased investment in technology, pedagogical innovation, social-emotional learning, and continuing education for teachers.”

For Diniz, this is a time of structural transformation. “It’s undeniable: the Northeast is currently experiencing a particularly interesting moment from an educational standpoint. There are very successful initiatives being developed in both public and private schools, revealing a region that has come to play a leading role in discussions about quality, innovation, and transformation in Brazilian education,” he concludes.

By bringing together various stakeholders from the educational ecosystem in a region that is home to some of the most significant advances in national education, the Bett Nordeste Conference serves as a strategic forum for sharing experiences, strengthening collaborative networks, and broadening discussions on solutions capable of positively impacting student learning across the country. You can register for the event here.

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