Green, Resilient, Inclusive, and Learning-Oriented (GRILO) Schools in Brazil - Main Messages and Research Findings

Jul 19, 2026

Green, Resilient, Inclusive, and Learning-Oriented (GRILO) schools define minimum conditions for learning environments that align with positive learning outcomes in Brazil. The report shows notable gaps: sizable shares of primary and secondary schools fail at least one GRILO criterion, with South and Southeast states scoring higher while the North and Northeast lag across subindexes. Full-time upper secondary schools tend to be more resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented than regular ones, and municipal—especially rural—schools generally require more support. Green and learning-oriented subindexes correlate with achievement even after accounting for confounders. Investment strategies should use comprehensive GRILO data and map schools in risk-prone areas, supported by targeted steps including local mapping and disaster risk assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages39

Reading Time1 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

What are GRILO schools?

Green schools

Resilient schools

Inclusive schools

Learning-oriented schools

The GRILO index in Brazil

States in the South and Southeast have the highest GRILO index scores

Full-time upper secondary schools have better environments

Municipal networks, especially rural schools, need more assistance

Does the GRILO index relate to learning outcomes?

Where are the schools at risk?

Droughts

Temperature increase

Schools at risk

What can be done? Defining the scope and strategy for targeted school investments

Conclusion

References

Appendix I: GRILO methodology

Appendix II: Variables description

Appendix III: Minimum critical values

Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized Green, Resilient, Inclusive, and Learning-Oriented (GRILO) Schools in Brazil Giovanna Quintão1 Leandro Costa2 Main Messages ✓ Green, resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented (GRILO) characteristics are the minimum conditions necessary for developing a learning environment correlated with positive learning outcomes. ✓ In Brazil, the percentage of primary and secondary schools that do not meet the minimum criteria for the individual green, resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented classifications, is 16. 2, 10.6, 24.2, and 32.5 percent, respectively. ✓ States in the South and Southeast have better GRILO subindex scores, while the North and Northeast lag in all aspects. ✓ Full-time upper secondary schools are generally more resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented compared to regular upper secondary schools. ✓ Municipally-run schools, especially rural ones, are less green, resilient, inclusive, and learningoriented compared to regular, state schools. ✓ The green and the learning-oriented subindexes are positively correlated with student learning, even when controlled for confounding variables. ✓ Investment strategies for school infrastructure should be informed by comprehensive data on the current GRILO condition of schools and their location in risk-prone areas. 1 Junior Professional Associate at the World Bank 2 Senior Economist at the World Bank Table of Contents 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3 2. What are GRILO schools?...................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Green schools................................................................................................................................ 5 2.2 Resilient schools............................................................................................................................ 7 2.3 Inclusive schools............................................................................................................................ 9 2.4 Learning-oriented schools........................................................................................................... 11 3. The GRILO index in Brazil .................................................................................................................... 14 3.1 States in the South and Southeast have the highest GRILO index scores .................................. 17 3.2 Full-time upper secondary schools have better environments .................................................. 19 3.3 Municipal networks, especially rural schools, need more assistance ........................................ 20 4. Does the GRILO index relate to learning outcomes? .......................................................................... 22 5. Where are the schools at risk?............................................................................................................ 24 5.1 Droughts...................................................................................................................................... 24 5.2 Temperature increase ................................................................................................................. 24 5.3 Schools at risk ............................................................................................................................. 25 6. What can be done? Defining the scope and strategy for targeted school investments .................... 27 ✓ i. Identify the target schools ........................................................................................................... 27 ✓ ii. Conduct local mapping..........................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the GRILO concept for schools in Brazil?

GRILO defines minimum conditions—green, resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented—that shape learning environments linked to positive learning outcomes.

Which regions and school types score better on the GRILO index?

States in the South and Southeast have higher GRILO subindex scores, while the North and Northeast lag. Full-time upper secondary schools are generally more resilient, inclusive, and learning-oriented than regular ones.

How does GRILO relate to student learning outcomes?

The green and learning-oriented subindexes show a positive correlation with student learning, even when controlling for confounding variables.

How should targeted investments be planned for at-risk schools?

Use comprehensive GRILO data and school location in risk-prone areas, then follow a targeted sequence: identify target schools, conduct local mapping, conduct disaster risk assessment, select schools, and design the intervention scope.

Jul 19, 2026

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