Social inequalities in Brazil directly affect the different conditions for accessing education in the country. Almost all Brazilian indicators highlight this fact. 

Inequalities are perceived in conditions for accessing education and in education results of Brazilian children, youth and adults especially penalizing some ethnic-racial groups, rural and the poorest populations, young and adult people that have not concluded the compulsory education in adequate age, as well as children and persons with deficiency. 

Deep and broad racial and ethnic inequalities continue to exist in the Brazilian society (especially in relation to some specific groups such as Indigenous population, African descendents, quilombolas, prisoners and rural population). The specialized literature shows that there is strong correlation between ethnic background and educational opportunities. These relations coexist side by side with social inequalities – including regional inequalities within the country –, which result in educational exclusion of a considerable number of youth and adults.

There must me a guarantee that all students have access to a good-quality education that can respond to all basic learning needs to enrich lives of youth. This is the way for the right to education for all to become a real fact. The UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960), other International Human Rights Treaties, as well as the Brazilian Legal Framework prohibit any exclusion or limitation of educational opportunities. Socially attributed or perceived differences, such as gender, ethnic-racial background, language, religion, nationality, social background, economic situation, deficiencies, etc.   Inclusive education is not simply a matter of turning school accessible.  It is being proactive on the identification of barriers and obstacles that students face when trying to access quality educational opportunities; and on the elimination of barriers and obstacles that drive to exclusion.

UNESCO intends to support the country on the implementation of affirmative actions to promote equal opportunities of access to quality education, including all groups of the Brazilian society.