It is argued that the Brazilian government's reform of middle schools and professional education deepens the duality of the educational system. Its aim of establishing for professional education the task of training for specific activities existing in the labour market increases the exclusion of popular classes' students from learning the main contents concerning the practice of citizenship. It is also argued that the government's reform of middle schools and professional education has been influenced by international organizations' education policies, particularly the World Bank.
middle schools; professional education; education reform
