School project KIDDOS: commitment for the future
Education plays a fundamental role in a child's development and future providing the foundation for intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Cognitive development, social skills, self-confidence and self-esteem are among the many skills to be learned and developed by education. For this reason, the HORSCH branch in Brazil decided to invest in the children of its employees to ensure a good education.
The quality of the Brazilian educational system differs considerable from the standards in European countries. Data from official organisations, such as the Basic Education Development Index (IDEB), reveal that despite significant progress in recent years, public education in Brazil still faces profound challenges. Charts from the Ministry of Education show that the average IDEB score for public schools in Brazil falls short of expectations, often below the desired level for quality education. Among the 81 countries participating in the PISA studies (Program for International Student Assessment), Brazil ranks 65th in mathematics, 52nd in reading, and 62nd in science.
In contrast, countries like Germany offer a structured educational system that combines universal access to high-quality schools with solid financial support for families, such as Kindergeld (child benefit). This aid, amounting to 250 Euros per child per month, represents a significant investment in the future of the next generation.
Kick-off for the project
In view of this background, HORSCH do Brasil launched the project KIDDOS. CEO Rodrigo Duck explains how the idea came about:
“During our one-year stay in Germany, we were impressed by the efficiency of the educational system which not only ensured quick learning but also provided an inclusive and stimulating learning environment. This experience led us to reflect on the educational reality in Brazil. While my oldest daughter, Eliza, quickly adapted to the German school system - even though German is not her native language - we noticed a strong contrast to what we were used to in our country. In Brazil, public education faces severe resource and infrastructure limitations, and many families, including our employees, cannot afford the costs of a good private education.
In this context, we decided that upon returning to Brazil, we would look for a school that fits more restricted financial values—we selected a Mennonite school for 200 Euros per child per month which offers a satisfactory educational level, although many options may be financially unreachable for most of the population. Currently, considering that most of the employees in the agricultural sector earn an average salary of 500 Euros, the monthly cost of a good school can be a heavy burden. After a promising financial year in 2021, we decided to develop a project focused on the education of our employees' children. We realised that investing in their education would not only provide a better future for these children but also encourage a personal development that could, one day, reflect in our company. These children could become future employees at HORSCH, benefiting from the programs we offer for young people and teenagers.”
Holistic support
The KIDDOS Project is a transformative initiative aimed at sensitising children and young people to civic responsibility and encouraging integral development. HORSCH is committed to offering education that goes beyond academic knowledge, incorporating fundamental principles and values that guide life in society. The company co-operates with the families with regard to the selection of educational institutions that meet the quality and accessibility criteria, prioritizing those in line with the company's values. The tuition fee is around 200 Euros, though private schools can charge up to 1,000 Euros per month.
KIDDOS is to ensure that children and young people acquire, from an early age, a comprehensive understanding of citizenship, social justice, respect for others and responsibility. The project is built on the belief that a promising future has to be based on a solid foundation, supported by ethical and inclusive education.
The participants should not only develop technical skills but also human values that will accompany them throughout their life. KIDDOS provides a safe and welcoming environment where every child and young person can express themselves, learn to respect differences and understand the importance of diversity.
In addition to the educational aspect, the project also is aimed at involving families and the community, strengthening bonds and promoting a network of mutual support. HORSCH is convinced that co-operation is essential for the success of human development where individuals, equipped with knowledge and strong values, are ready to become proactive citizens committed to building a better world.
In summary, the KIDDOS Project is more than just an educational offering: it is a commitment to the future with the objective to support the development of children and young people so that they become mature, reliable, responsible and socially competent citizens. Together, we shape the future and prepare our young people to play a leading role and to bring about a change.
