Challenges and opportunities for education in the BRICS countries. A special issue of the ‘Educational Studies Moscow’ Journal

In October, the IOE’s journal published a special edition, ‘Educational Mosaic: Understanding BRICS States’, devoted to the educational systems of the BRICS countries. The articles cover all levels of education, spanning from primary schools to doctoral education. Contributors include fellows from the Institute of Education and researchers from Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

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Yaroslav Kuzminov, the chief editor, pointed out that the aim of the special issue of the ‘Educational Studies Moscow’ journal was to serve as a platform for the active exchange of knowledge, experience and best practices among researchers in the education field within the BRICS countries. Since there is a risk of educational systems failing to meet the demands of the modern world, international cooperation in education is crucial. 

The questions raised in the study of the educational systems of Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil in this edition are of great importance, given that these countries have some of the largest populations in the world and are shaping the global landscape of educational outcomes. These regions account for approximately one-third of the global education landscape, highlighting their global significance. The issues addressed, including inequality in access to high-quality education, teacher and student motivation, literacy improvement and the identification and support of gifted children, are expected to provide valuable insights into finding effective solutions for the BRICS countries and beyond.

The variety of topics covered in the articles emphasises that this special edition not only documents the current state of education systems in the Global South, but also encourages further research into sustainable and innovative global educational solutions. 

The focus is on how educational practices in the BRICS countries address global challenges, such as ensuring equitable access to quality education and preparing professionals for innovation-driven economies.

Among the research articles, representing most of the BRICS countries, are studies dedicated to gifted and talented education in Brazil, to teacher education in Russia, to overcoming social inequalities through educational opportunities in India, to doctoral education in China, to promoting teacher resilience and supporting teacher motivation and change-efficacy in South Africa. Thereby, attention is paid to completely different aspects of the education sphere.

Read the Special Issue of the ‘Educational Studies Moscow’ Journal.