THE Youth and Adult Education (EJA) is a teaching modality that permeates all levels of Basic Education in the country. This modality is intended for young people and adults who did not continue their studies and for those who did not have access to Elementary and/or High School at the appropriate age.

The Education Guidelines and Bases Law (LDB 9394/96), in its article 37, § 1, says:

The education systems will ensure, free of charge, to young people and adults, who have not been able to study at the regular age, appropriate educational opportunities, considering the characteristics of the students, their interests, living and working conditions, through courses and exams.

The old private supplementary courses, which until a few years ago were the only option for young people and adults to attend mainly high school (high school at the time), lost ground, although some institutions continue to be a reference.

However, some of these institutions (which claim to be recognized by the MEC) started to offer lightning courses (with the same curriculum as the EJA), without attendance, that is, at a distance, with high costs. At the end of the period “promised” by the Institution, the student takes the “exams”. There are many reports of fraud and the sale of false diplomas.

According to the LDB, in its article 38, “education systems will maintain supplementary courses and exams, which will comprise the common national base of the curriculum, enabling the continuation of studies on a regular basis”.

In the same article, the minimum age for taking the exams is defined:

- People over 15 years old can take exams for the conclusion of Elementary School.
- People over 18 years old can take exams for the conclusion of high school.

Adolescents younger than those established above must attend regular schools.

The National Curriculum Guidelines for the Education of Youth and Adults in Elementary School were published in three segments and are available on the MEC website. The curriculum for EJA in High School uses the Common National Base as a reference, which must be complemented by a part that will meet the diversity of students.

People who graduate in this type of education are often victims of different kinds of prejudice. It is important to remember that most people who attend Youth and Adult Education are committed to learning, they understand the importance of education, so they are there because they want and/or need it.

Generally, people who graduate from this type of education, as well as those who graduate from regular education, can perform satisfactorily in the job market, as well as in continuing their studies, including in Higher Education.