Providing hope to children and communities in developing countries
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Quality Education
Latin America, Public and Private Education
Following is a statement made by a director in the Regional Bureau of Education in Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"Regarding UNESCO, we have come to the understanding that in order to meet the goals of Education for All (EFA), we can no longer depend on the governments or public school systems. Our latest studies show that they are very slow in advancing the educational guide for the region. Now we want to work more closely with the private non-government organizations (NCO's) to ensure that our goals for literacy and a quality education will be met by 2015."
A quality education is beign offered in this region through the involvement of people who are committed to the greatest teacher on any continent
Existing Schools
In most cases, the schools selected for textbook support are rural. Some are in metropolitan areas located within major areas of poverty. The GEP team has visited many of these schools. The schools seldom have adequate facilities. Some building would not qualify as a good barn for cattle. Usually, the classrooms are poorly lit. It is common for some students to have a tablet and pencil with the only textbook in the teacher's hands. Limits have been placed on the number of students selected to attend. Within the geographical region there is a minimum of 48,000 students that could be served, providing the funds are available.
Ms. Lisa Roberts, a 2002 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, spent a year working with the Peace Corps in a private primary school in Paraguay. Roberts stated, "I would wake up with the roosters crowing at sunrise. School began at 7 a.m. We would go home in the afternoon for lunch and siesta."
"The teachers are interested in learning things to teach their students, but they are tired from the culture they live in. It is such a corrupt culture. When you don't have anything, no one to support you, it's really hard. The teacher has a chalkboard and that's it. The student come to school with a tablet and pencils."
Quote from OU Daily
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