Educational Innovation Project Launched for the benefit of 300 Public Schools
LA LIBERTAD – The Government of the United States and the Government of El Salvador, through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MINEDUCYT), launched the Educational Innovation Project that will contribute to improve the basic skills of 2,000 teachers, with special emphasis on reading, mathematics and psychosocial well-being. The launching ceremony was presided over by the Ambassador of the United States, William Duncan; the Minister of Education, Mauricio Pineda, and the Director of the Pedro Pablo Castillo School, Elena Méndez.
With a total investment by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) of $27.4 million for the period 2022-2027, the Educational Innovation Project will focus on 300 public schools at the Basic Education level in Santa Ana, San Salvador and San Miguel, areas with high rates of irregular migration. The project will benefit 2,000 teachers and 80,000 students in grades 1-6 and will support higher education institutions (HEIs) to conduct research aimed at improving basic education. The goal is to keep students in school and prepare them to complete secondary education, which will provide them with greater employment opportunities in the future.
“We recognize that the role of a teacher is incredibly important in shaping their students in every way and we are proud to support them in this mission. The future that all Salvadorans want for their country begins to be built here. A prosperous future with economic opportunity needs an educated and skilled workforce. A secure future free of crime and gangs depends on the alternatives offered to young people,” said Ambassador Duncan.
The new project has two main objectives: first, to improve the safety, relevance and quality of basic education, basic reading and math skills, and psychosocial health of children and youth, including the most marginalized and vulnerable in the target geographic areas. Second, the project seeks to strengthen the capacity of higher education to sustain improvements in the fundamental skills and psychosocial health of students by improving the capacity of HEIs to conduct research and generate knowledge on Basic Education to improve initial teacher education and in-service training.
The Educational Innovation Project is implemented by the U.S. organization Family Health 360 (FHI 360) together with a consortium of specialist organizations: Fundación Salvador del Mundo (FUSALMO), Fundación Pro Educación de El Salvador (FUNPRES), Contextos, Glasswing International and Inclusive Development Partners.
