During the Agreement for Prosperity of Montería, Minister María Fernanda Campo asked that we all work to improve the quality and reduce the gaps that occur in the education sector.
- Five policy focuses were presented and discussed at the meeting, ‘Quality Education, the path to prosperity’ including: Quality, Gaps, Innovation and relevance, the management model and Early Childhood.
- During the event, Minister María Fernanda Campo asked that we all work to improve the quality and reduce the gaps that occur in the education sector.
- Ministry of Education awarded National Processes Certification granted by Icontec, to the Secretariat of Education of Montería. Schools, teachers and students who stood out for their contribution to the process of quality improvement were also acknowledged
"Quality Education is the main engine that a country has to succeed, overcome poverty, reduce the large gaps of inequality and educate competent and competitive humans in a globalized environment,” said Education Minister, María Fernanda Campo Saavedra. She stressed that commitment to the education sector will ensure the prosperity of all Colombians.
In her speech, during the second day of the Agreement for Prosperity in the education sector, held September 10th-11th in Montería (Córdoba), the Minister stressed, "the poor quality of education is responsible for causing additional inequality and poverty. To improve quality, it is important to make a great national campaign and hold the improvement of educational quality as a national priority. "
President Juan Manuel Santos, meanwhile, made a general tour of the education sector, highlighting the steps taken in this area over the past eight years and the importance of it in the development of Colombia. "Education is the only path that takes us out of underdevelopment and poverty. The previous government had a strong performance in increasing coverage. Now we must not only maintain that coverage, but also work to increase quality where necessary," the president said. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the “Quality Education, the road to prosperity” policy goal to close the gaps that exist in the educational sector.
President Juan Manuel Santos Calderón; Vice Minister of Higher Education, Gabriel Burgos Mantilla; Vice Minister of Preschool, Primary and Secondary, Mauricio Perfetti del Corral; the governor of Córdoba, Marta Sáenz Correa; the mayor of Montería, Marcos Daniel Pineda García, and managers and representatives of education and regional political authorities were present at the meeting, which focused on the government’s new education policy, ‘Quality Education, the path to prosperity.’
The emphasis of education policy
In the Agreement for Prosperity, Minister María Fernanda Campo emphasized that quality is the cornerstone for making educational policy a reality. Quality is the main gap that exists in the country, specifically between public and private education and rural and urban, Minister Campo said. An example of this is that of the 1.3 million children who are outside the education system, 70% belong to the rural sector, a reason to close the education gap. "We will review the per capita (what is spent for each child) and we will improve our flexible learning methodologies that reach the rural population. Also, we will strengthen literacy programs," she said.
In regard to higher education, the Minister highlighted the achievement of reaching 35% coverage, but said it is necessary to expand, and offer a wider choice of quality education at all levels (professional technical, technological and professional). "We will improve and strengthen all programs through high quality accreditation, improve coordination with the Sena and Colciencias-to improve research and train more doctors, in order to have more capable human resources."
In order to eliminate gaps in higher education coverage, the minister reaffirmed her commitment to bring quality and relevant education to more than 500,000 new young people. "We will strengthen the Regional Centers of Higher Education (CERES) as an efficient way of bringing quality education to rural areas." She also mentioned a commitment to increase resources for financing higher education for more and more young people to have the opportunity to access this level of training.
Referring to one of the emphases of the new education policy, Campo Saavedra said the attention of children in early childhood is a Government priority, and indicated that we must work on providing more meals and transportation to school, in effort to help prevent children from dropping out. "This is the stage where human competency is learned. To advance this comprehensive care we have to work in inter-agency coordination with organizations and institutions that work with children." Another important aspect that the Minister of Education stressed regarding the education gap is the goal to incorporate Information Technology and Communication (ICT) in learning and training processes. The Minister announced she is working on the improvement of virtual materials for students, as well as the promotion of a National Reading Plan to strengthen the development of skills. She also emphasized that we must work for greater articulation with Sena to develop a virtual and semi massive plan to address gaps in skills, training and knowledge among teachers." “Teachers who are better trained and have more skills, will have the ability to better educate children."
Recognition of quality improvement
Toward the end of their speech, the head of the program awarded the National Certification of Processes that Icontec granted to the Montería Secretariat of Education for the processes of Citizen Attention, Management of Education Service Coverage and Human Resources Management. You may learn more about the National Certification obtained by the Ministry of Education of Montería by clicking here .
Minister Campo took advantage of the Prosperity Agreement to recognize schools, teachers and students who have distinguished themselves by the results obtained in the process of quality improvement. First, she congratulated the Sahagún National Educational Institution and its rector, Ms. Martínez, for earning the highest average grades on 5th, 9th and 11th grade Saber census tests. ListenRead phonetically
Likewise, teachers Juan Carlos Ramos and Gustavo Berrío Cordero were congratulated for earning the highest scores in entrance and relocation evaluations among the 1278 teaching ranks.
Finally, the Minister praised students Carlos Andrés González and Yadira del Mar Castaño, who placed the highest among all public schools in Córdoba on the Saber 11 tests. She told them, "You are an example to be emulated by the other students, teachers and educational institutions nationwide."
Listen to the Minister of Education, María Fernanda Campo, during her speech on the second day of the fifth Prosperity Agreement made this September 11th, by visiting the Virtual Center of Education News (CVNE) at www.mineducacion.gov.co/cvne or click here.
Source: Ministry of Education - Colombia
