We have partnered with the Escuela Nueva Volvamos a la Gente Foundation (FEN) to improve the quality of education in seven rural schools that are part of the Regional Center for Research, Education and Extension (CRIEET) in Tauramena, Casanare. By strengthening learning and development opportunities, the project benefits more than 520 children in primary education.
FEN is a non-profit organization recognized nationally and internationally for its educational innovation and its commitment to improving the quality, relevance and efficiency of education. Its teaching commitment – Escuela Nueva Activa (ENA) – transforms classrooms and learning techniques, promoting active, cooperative and student-centered learning. The project implements ENA in seven rural CRIEET schools, which receive educational material, training and teacher support to strengthen four key areas:
- Curricular: providing Learning Guides and teaching materials to help students develop active and cooperative learning
- Management: promoting autonomous educational institutions that are organized to offer high quality integral education
- Teacher training: fostering the continuous professional development of teachers, transforming their role and empowering them as key agents of change
- Community: strengthening the relationship between teachers, students and families to include the whole community in the educational process
This project aligns with the global development agenda by promoting quality education and includes strategies such as face-to-face teacher training workshops, provision of teaching materials, follow-ups for all teachers, online support, monitoring and evaluation to improve educational practices and student learning.
With a total investment of 470 million pesos, the program underscores GeoPark’s commitment to the social development of the territories where it operates. “We are pleased to work closely with an organization as prestigious as the Escuela Nueva Volvamos a la Gente Foundation in a project that as well as helping to improve the quality of education will reduce the gaps in rural education and help create a legacy of prosperity for the region,” our Nature and Neighbors Manager Anibal Fernandez de Soto said.
For her part, Clarita Arboleda, Development Manager of the Escuela Nueva Volvamos a la Gente, said: “It’s great to work with an entity like GeoPark, which is committed to proven and evidence-based educational solutions to help improve educational quality and equality, which are fundamental for the progress of our country.”
To close the year, the Escuela Nueva Foundation pedagogical team visited CRIEET classrooms to observe teaching practices and provide feedback. An Achievements Day is planned for the first semester of 2025, when students and teachers will present the results and significant experiences of the teaching model to the community.
We will continue to promote initiatives like this one that help to promote better living conditions for our neighboring communities, facilitating access to quality education as a basis for sustainable territorial development.
