“I’m sure the school that is born today will serve as an example to the entire nation.” These were the words of Army General Odilson Sampaio Benzi, the Military Commander of the Northeast, during the inauguration of the first School of Military Instruction (EsIM) in Brazil, implemented in a rural environment and tied to a public institution.
The EsIM is located in the rural area of the municipality of Igrapiúna, in Southern Lowlands of Bahia, annexed to the Colégio Estadual Casa Jovem (CECJ), a school with ties to the Bahia Southern Lowlands Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Integrated and Sustainable Development Program (PDIS), which is supported by the Odebrecht Foundation.
“The initiative respects the characteristics of a public institution and provides an opportunity for youth to learn the civic issues,” said Bahia Secretary of Education,
Osvaldo Barreto.
The school trains reserves for the Brazilian Army and enables the provision of Military Service to high school students. Students learn basics of military communications, marches, hygiene, first aid, guidance and surveillance. Additionally, they get instructions on gun handling and physical training without leaving their communities.
Orlando de Jesus, who is 18 years old and a CECJ and EsIM student, will seize the opportunity to expand his knowledge. “I want to be an example for my community,” he said.