Elizangela Dias Ferreira, a resident of Paraiso do Tocantins in Brazil, has seen significant changes at the Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira State School over the years. The most notable change was a renovation aimed at improving comfort for teaching and learning despite outdoor temperatures reaching up to 40ºC. "It was a dream. Before, the environment was very basic and became unbearable on hot days," she stated.
The renovation began in 2018 when the school was primarily made of concrete slabs that retained heat. "To try to relieve it, we used a huge, noisy fan. Often, when someone had to ask a question, we had to turn it off," recalled Ferreira. Rising temperatures have been shown to affect learning negatively; according to the Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action report, students in Brazil's poorest municipalities could lose up to half a year of learning due to these conditions.
During renovations supported by the state government's Tocantins Integrated and Sustainable Regional Development Project (PDRIS) and financed by the World Bank, students and teachers relocated temporarily. The project resulted in new air-conditioned classrooms ready by February 2021. The renovated facilities now serve 339 students from 6th grade through high school.
Despite additional challenges like pandemic impacts and intensified climatic phenomena causing heavier rains and occasional flooding, gratitude remains within the community. Joicy Machado commented on how JK's structure surpasses some private schools in Paraíso.
The PDRIS project also invested US$ 282 million over nine years into other sectors like transport and agriculture while recovering ten educational institutions along BR-153 highway. "Most of the project's activities were related to roads... Investing in education was the way we found to reduce this problem," explained Mauricio Fregonesi from Tocantins' government.
Another beneficiary is Conceição Brito State School in Fátima city, which reopened in May 2022 after extensive renovations delayed by the pandemic. It now serves 398 students with modern facilities including air-conditioned classrooms and sports fields.
Teacher Nádia Bissoto noted how improved environments make students more eager to learn. However, attracting students post-pandemic required effort as many left schooling for work elsewhere due to economic pressures at home.
Engineer Eliza Nunes Neta described her work during these projects as challenging yet rewarding: "We worked as best we could... This job helped elevate standards for state school construction overall."
Ildo Lautharte from World Bank emphasized that "students need a welcoming environment" especially after disruptive events such as pandemics or climate shocks—a sentiment echoed across all involved parties who appreciate how these efforts transformed local educational landscapes significantly for better future outcomes.