What the hell is a 'cram school'?
Just an educated guess:
Since there is a large population of Japanese nationals from Japanese co’s in Brazil
Since these people are on temporary assignment (used to be two-four years)
Since families with school age children also are stationed with them
Japanese co’s usually get together and set up schools
Since entry exams are necessary for various levels of collage and lower schooling, especially upon return to Japan
Logic would dictate that cram school is for the preparation for these various exams.
it's an asian thing. My girlfriend is from Taiwan and they go went to regular school for about 9 hours a day, then they go to "cram school" in the evening to bone up on special subjects.
I'm mixed on this system, the kids work like dogs for decades, and while they can outperform us hands down on subject exams, like math and science, they are completely unable to think/act independent of direction. its a very odd system.
That said, if you are a guy/gal in Taiwan/Asia, and you want to make something of yourself, you go to regular school for 30+ hours, and then cram schools for another 20-30 hours a week. My girlfriend 'cramed' a lot of science and math, beginning around 5 yrs old. She also developed a fascination with English and America, which is the big thing for many young Asians. its kind of a status thing, and their views of America are odd but usually positive and refreshing.
If you do really well, and bust your butt 'cramming' for 15 years without a vacation you might get accepted into an American college where all your 'hard' scientific knowledge will be pretty useless in the diversity enrichment seminars....hehe