We visited many schools in Colombia, from Universities to farm schools where the kids migrate. A common thread that prevailed was the desire to enculturate the human and develop a good person rooted in ethics and a strong moral compass.
My take aways-
1.Building character is embedded in the curriculum for elementary to university levels.
2.English gives access to the world outside of Colombia. Colombians are interest in attaining world knowledge by travelling, studying abroad and then bringing that knowledge back to share with their people.
3.Adults trust children.Children had a lot of freedom and of time to socialise.They would be huddled together in the stairways, playing in the courtyards, flirting in the cafeteria.They had recess,with no real adult supervision.They were not policed, monitored, controlled like you might see in the urban schools in the states. And they were respectful of each other, acted in polite fashion, and seemed to actually care about other students and adults. They were happy.These were children mostly below the poverty level but they did not seem to suffer the trauma of of "American poverty".What was the difference?
4.I saw the solution to lack of teachers in the states.Creating schools where kids are tracked to become teachers later. On graduation from high school they are already Elementary school teachers.And if they want to teach higher levels,e they need more education. Teaching was honoured as a profession.
5. In the magnet art school, the parents signed contracts to uphold the schools standards and requirements or the spot of the students would be given to a more deserving child. I think in the states its too easy. I think we need to make students and parents more accountable for our students education.
6.On the farm schools, the children in their one classroom schools were independent learners. They had their own small governing body where they took full ownership and respected their roles as leaders. These kids had so little in material wealth, but at tender ages of eight and ten they were so aware of their roles and themselves.
