Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's approval ratings have slumped as she battles corruption allegations and the worst economic downturn in 25 years, and now her popular education drive has taken another step back after the government announced a further cut in funding. However, despite this, some progress in education is being made. In poorer rural communities, teenagers now have access to education thanks to an ambitious long-distance schooling system. Nicolas Ransom and John Dillermore report