Students from communities in Careiro are left without classes due to lack of payment for school transport

Students from communities in Careiro, in the interior of Amazonas, are without classes due to the interruption of school transport. The boatmen responsible for taking students to schools say they are not being paid by the city hall and are unable to continue paying for fuel out of their own pockets.

The lack of transport has reduced school attendance in some communities. According to residents, there are places where children are only able to go to school three days a week.

Parents report concern about the losses caused by the interruption of classes. Housewife Andreza da Silva Monteiro told Rede Amazônica that many families are unable to take their children on their own.

"It's absurd, because the boatmen complain that they don't get paid. (…) They need to be paid to be able to work," he said.

“My dream is to see my children graduate,” said farmer Isaías Feijó Cortês, who became emotional when talking about the situation. "Education is essential. Asking someone to watch over us, because we are forgotten."

Guardianship Council was called

The municipality's Guardianship Council also received complaints about the problem and states that it asked the city hall for action almost a month ago. For counselor Jaisson Gomes dos Santos, the reduction in school attendance brings harm to learning and blames the public authorities for the situation.

“The ones who lose out in all this are the children and teenagers,” he said.

MPAM follows the case

The Amazonas Public Ministry (MPAM) is monitoring the case. According to prosecutor Caio Barros, more than 30 complaints about late wages and other problems in the municipality have been brought together in a procedure since 2025. The body also claims to have three public civil actions related to the issue.

“We ask for immediate proof of the regularization of the payments of these boatmen, with equally immediate proof of the resumption of face-to-face classes for these children,” stated the prosecutor.

The case is under analysis by the Court. While there is no decision, families living in the affected communities say they fear the impact of interrupting classes on their children's future.

Students are left without classes in the AM due to late payment for school transport — Photo: Reproduction/Rede Amazônica

Careiro School — Photo: Reproduction/Rede Amazônica