Location: Bosawas | Priorities: Education, Indigenous Peoples
The Technology and Training for Quality and Equality project in the Bosawás Region of Nicaragua has received support from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), a fund generously supported by Global Affairs Canada and the Inter Council Network.
This project is designed to empower youth and prepare them for success in the future knowledge economy by enhancing the capacity of local schools to deliver quality and relevant formal basic education emphasizing skills development in BOSAWAS, Nicaragua.
CFCA has been working in the BOSAWAS region for over 20 years to support health, economic development and education projects, including in the construction of secondary schools. However, education in the indigenous BOSAWAS villages continues to be the poorest in the country. This project aims to improve the quality of education for students in one of the most remote areas of the world through innovative RACHEL technology. The project’s ultimate objective is improved quality education, gender equality, and learning outcomes for female and male students in the BOSAWAS Biosphere Reserve.
The project will provide Mobile Learning Labs (MLLs) consisting of RACHELS and a class set of laptops or tablets to indigenous communities, as well as appropriate accessories such as headphones, storage units, and projectors. For this remote, tropical context, a robust solar-power system in each of the beneficiary communities is also critical.
The Project will provide technical and pedagogical capacity-building to assist the schools and teachers to maximize the potential for improved learning both in teacher-led instructional time as well as in self-directed learning opportunities for students. In order to help teachers integrate its use in the classroom, the project will provide in-person training and accompaniment that includes teaching methods that also help develop “soft skills” (critical thinking, creativity, research skills, team work, etc.). Each community or school will also designate two young people for training as Technology Facilitators to provide technical support and basic training to users. MLLs will also be available for student self-directed learning with oversight by the Technology Facilitators.
CLICK HERE to read the full Phase One Teacher, Student, and Community Perspectives Report.
CLICK HERE to read the External Evaluation of the project conducted by a third party.
Change for Children partner organizations on this project are: Mundo Posible Guatemala; SIMAS; and The Indigenous Territorial Government (GTI) with accompaniment by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education (MINED).
