The book “A Cultura da Repetência” (“The Grade Retention Culture”, Appris Editor), written by the anthropologist Maria de Lourdes Sá Earp has been published. This book is the result of her doctoral thesis research carried out in public schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The research describes the grade retention culture, present in the philosophy of Brazilian education since its development in the late 1980s until school practices and representations nowadays.

According to Anthropology’s classic method, the author entered the school environment, observing rituals such as classrooms, class councils, teachers’ room, parents’ meeting, cafeterias and parties, among others. Through an ethnographic study  in  schools, the author explains how grade retention begins in the classroom structure itself. Filled with stories from students and teachers who tell what they think about school, teaching and education, the text presents narratives that reveal the beliefs, concepts and values of the grade retention culture. The book presents, in a singular way, a broad view on one of the main obstacles of teaching and learning in Brazil.