Brazil Postpones 'Enem dos Concursos'ExamAmid Devastating Floods

Brazil's Education Minister, Esther Dweck, has announced the postponement of the 'Enem dos Concursos' exam, also known as the first Concurso Público Nacional Unificado (CPNU), due to the devastatingfloodsin Rio Grande do Sul. The exam, which was initially scheduled for Sunday, March 5, aims to select 6,640 future public servants for various ministries and government agencies.

The decision to postpone the exam was made due to the worsening situation in Rio Grande do Sul, where at least 37 people have died, over 70 are missing, and more than 23,000 individuals have been displaced. The floods have affected 235 municipalities, with 185 roadblocks, making it impossible to hold the exam in various locations. "Our objective is to ensure the integrity of the participants, including their physical integrity, in regions where it would be impossible to move, preserve lives, and guarantee legal security to the contest,"said Esther Dweck.

Why this matters: The postponement of the exam highlights the severity of the flood crisis in Rio Grande do Sul and the need for the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens. This decision also underscores the importance of adapting to natural disasters and finding ways to minimize their impact on criticalgovernment functions and public services.

The postponement will cost an estimated R$50 million, according to Minister of Communication Paulo Pimenta. The government has already spent R$160 million on contracting the Fundação Cesgranrio to formulate and apply the exams. Over 2.1 million candidates had registered for the exam, which was set to be held in 220 cities across the country.

The government will collect the exam papers from 65 cities where the contest was to be held and store them in secure locations monitored by the Brazilian Intelligence Agency (Abin). A new date for the exam will be announced in the coming weeks, depending on logistical arrangements. The government has signed an agreement with the Attorney General's Office, the Federal Public Defender's Office, and the Rio Grande do Sul State Prosecutor's Office to postpone the exam.

The CPNU exam aims to make the selection process for public jobs more accessible to candidates from diverse regions. The exam will consist of two parts: a morning session with 20 objective questions and a written test, and an afternoon session with 50 objective questions. Professor Alketa Peci from the Brazilian School of Public Administration and Business (Ebape) FGV highlights the positive aspect of decentralizing the exam, which reduces costs for candidates and allows for a more diverse pool of applicants.

While the new exam model is a step towards democratizing access to public jobs, Peci notes that it may not significantly change the socio-economic profile of candidates who pass the exam. She also emphasizes the need for further measures to increase flexibility and mobility in the public workforce. The exact increase in costs due to the postponement is unknown at this time.

Key Takeaways

• Brazil's Education Minister postpones 'Enem dos Concursos' exam due to Rio Grande do Sul floods.
• Floods have killed 37, left 70 missing, and displaced 23,000, affecting 235 municipalities.
• Exam postponement to cost R$50 million, with 2.1 million candidates affected.
• New exam date to be announced, with papers stored in secure locations.
• CPNU exam aims to decentralize and democratize access to public jobs.