At Amaro Tan School, Incentives for Good Grades

Dear friends,

After Christmas break this year, the Amaro Tan team rolled out the incentives program you supported last fall. Meetings were held first with the parents, to be sure that they understood the process, and then with the students at the start of the trimester. We wanted to be sure that everything was communicated clearly and simply so that everyone felt that the process was fair. 

The students at Amaro Tan School come from families that are living  in extreme poverty, and many of them would be begging on the street or picking trash if they didn't have this uniquely nurturing and supportive school environment. Earning a modest reward for doing their homework is a more dignified way to earn a little extra for themselves and their families-- and school supports their long-term success as well. 

The first trimester of the pilot program ended last week, and Amaro Tan Director Marin Piqoni shared this update on how the first distribution of vouchers went with the children:

"During this first 3 month period of implementation, I can say that the incentives program has in fact increased the students’ work effort, regular attendance as well as their social behavior.I am very confident that this pilot project has proven to be useful for our school and I’m optimistic that it will bring even better results in the next period of time April through June.

"The individual reward system by which all students can freely use the voucher to buy desired items proved to be very effective. Every student received a voucher with the total credits or points they had collected and the sum of money accounted for according to their performance. On average a students received $5-$6. 

"Since January the teachers told me that they have seen a higher concentration in classes, higher interest in courses and the students were more motivated in doing their homework. Of course this did not eliminate absences and still there were some students who didn’t do their homework sometimes, but at least they tried harder. And there was no student who was left without a voucher and with no credits. Everyone received something. This was not a program of exclusion but one of motivation. 

"I asked some teachers about their impressions during these three past months and if they also find the program profitable. Here is what they have said….

 Dorina, the teacher of science (biology and chemistry) said “I was there at the moment that the students received the vouchers, and despite the small sum of money it represented, it had a great value to them because some students used that money to contribute in their families with the groceries. For them this is a great motivation and must be applied even in the next months because it helps students to be committed to their education and other activities.”

 Alketa, head teacher of class 2 Elementary says that "the children felt very excited about the rewards they received based on the credits they earned. I have seen them being more motivated and eager to do their homework in school during the afternoon. The next morning when they came back to school they were sharing with each other and me what a joy it was for them to go to the store and buy the things they wanted to with the money they earned. They even increased their self confidence."

Your donations last fall made it possible to try this program out for three consecutive trimesters-- this winter, this spring, and next fall. At Amaro Tan, they will be monitoring to see if attendance, homework, and participation continue to improve as a result of this incentive program, and will use the data they gather to determine whether to make the program permanent. We'll keep you posted.

All the best,

Sarah Pita

Development Director, NG USA

PS If you wish to continue supporting this program, please continue a donation to NG's education program, here.