Education: T he first step to a better Latin America

Statistics  An estimated 20 million secondary-age children in Latin America don't attend primary or secondary school  In Brazil, 24 per cent of primary-school pupils and 18 per cent of secondary school students are repeaters  For every 100 children who enter primary school in Nicaragua, only 55 reach Grade 5  Argentina has the highest "survival rate", with 94 per cent of pupils reaching Grade 5 Latin America and Caribbean Regional Report, published by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 1998.

Proportion enrolled by age and level of education

What can improving education achieve?  Political Awareness  Crime Reduction  Economic Development  Lower Inequality  Stronger Civil Society  Social Awareness and Tolerance  Enhanced Democracy

How can you improve Education?

Funding  IGOs and NGOs Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) oSupports over 300 projects for social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean, with an average of $10 billion in financing a year o47 state members, 26 are in Latin America oJune, 2008, approved $58 million for Rio Negro, Argentina to extend the school days to 8 hours “to promote equity in educational opportunities” oMarch 2008, $2.7 billion to Argentina to improve equity, quality and coverage

La Comisión Económica para América Latina (CEPAL) The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) oIts goal is to provide long-term financing for endeavors that contribute to development. oThis includes social investments, such as, education and health, family agriculture, basic sanitation and mass transportation oLast year, BNDS financed $4.2 billion worth of investments world-wide The Bank of the South?

Other Current Regional IGOs: oAsociación de Universidades Grupo Montevideo AUGM oCentro de Información Sobre Tecnología Educativa Para Latinoamerica CITELA oConfederación Universitaria Centroamericana CSUCA oConsejo Latinoamericano de Escuelas de Administración CLADEA oInter-American Organization for Higher Education OUI-IOHE oLatin American Studies LANIC oLaw Schools in Latin America & the Caribbean oNueva Alejandría oPREAL Programa de Promoción de la Reforma Educativa en América Latina y el Caribe oUnión de Universidades de América Latina UDUAL Universidades de América

 UNESCO “Education for All” by 2015 (IESALC) Conferencia Regional de Educación Superior  UN Millennium Development Goals  College athletic programs (namely soccer) to increase budget and provide scholarships to economically disadvantaged students  Combine private equity and public subsidization—funding should be a mix of public and private funds

 “The Celebrity Solution”

Incentive to Attend and Succeed in Primary and Secondary Schools  “Head Start” model  One free meal per day for each student  Basic medical attention  Fine parents who do not force their children to go to school  Use local police as truancy officers  Increase parental and community involvement Make schools a center piece in community activities (voting center, community vaccinations, meeting venue, etc.)

Improving Quality of Education  Primary and Secondary Cultural Inclusion Curriculum should include courses aimed at preparing students and exposing them to cultural diversities and economic inequalities Increased teaching standards create more academic competition and greater overall achievement Increased teacher salaries create more prestige New, innovativ e teaching models Paulo Freire: “Critical Pedagogy” from “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” Create a democratic classroom to prepare students to be active members in society, where they are able to make collective decisions regarding their academic environment.

 Higher Education Curriculum should include a more broad variety of studies in addition to the chosen field (i.e. a more liberal arts education) In depth ethics courses should be required for all specialized fields of study For law schools, an emphasis should be placed on teaching and learning “law”, not “formality”

Improving Access to Education  Primary and Secondary Fund the building of new schools in rural areas Provide public transportation  Universities Combine private equity and public subsidization Reformed application criteria

"In Latin America and the Caribbean, universities account for the production of 85% to 90% of knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the role of higher education in the production of knowledge of the region. Institutions of higher education are strategic actors for national development. We need to integrate the knowledge society. Countries not able to support and develop on-going education policies are going to remain dependent" President of the Regional Conference (CRES 2008), Ana Lúcia Gazzola, hosted in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia by the International Institute of Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean (IESALC) A Current Movement: CRES-2008

“…The objective is to establish a scenario that makes it possible to articulate in a creative and sustainable manner policies that strengthen the social commitment, quality and pertinence of higher education and the autonomy of Universities. These policies should point toward higher education for all, and have as a goal the achievement of greater social coverage with quality, equity, and commitment to our peoples.” The Declaration of the Regional Conference of Higher Education in Latin and the Caribbean