The project funds a full year of a two-hour daily after-school program for 20 first graders. Classrooms are limited to 10 students offering each student individualized attention. Every child is evaluated at the beginning of the year to set appropriate goals to complete the year consistent with their grade level. In addition to help with homework and remedial help, the program provides valuable enrichment experiences not offered in the public schools such as visits by poets and musicians.
Guatemala's public school system is dramatically underfunded, annually allocating about 3% of GDP, much less than regional peers. Classrooms have a poor teacher/student ratio - sometimes 40 students to a single teacher-- and limited supplies of books and materials, resulting in poor educational experiences and outcomes. Many children complete primary school without being able to read, write, or do arithmetic. The Learning Center was created in 2016 to address these shortcomings.
Teachers design their curriculum based on the specific needs of their 10 students, and collaborate with the other teachers to identify strategies for students with particular challenges. Much of the work is experiential and the children look forward to coming. By the end of each school year, each child will have attained the academic skill level for their grade. The Ministry of Education called this the best program in Cajola. Parents comment their children at last are succeeding in school.
One student returned to tell her former teacher how helping her learn motivated her to continue her studies. Many of the children are motivated by their success at the Learning Center and decide to continue studying at the middle school level. Dropping out after primary school is far too common still in Cajola. With sound basic skills they are more likely to succeed and be motivated to continue on with their education instead of migrating north.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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