Cultural diversity and the school curriculum

Cultural diversity is present in various areas of Brazilian society especially at school where social ethnic-racial and cultural differences are most evident. These issues need to be addressed with the appropriate pedagogical support in the school curriculum. Based on this premise this work sought to reflect on and discuss Afro-Brazilian and African cultures which are included as compulsory content in the school curriculum in Basic Education through Law 10.639/03. However it can be seen that the law has not yet been concretely implemented in the curricula as required. The school is the right place to debate and reflect on the re-signification of ethnic-racial and cultural social relations as part of the school curriculum as well as to develop practices of healthy coexistence mutual respect solidarity and a culture of peace. Therefore reflecting on and debating ethnic-racial diversity within the school curriculum is in some way making it possible to re-signify the identity self-image and self-esteem social and historical prestige of black (black and/or brown) students in this country.