The Role of Education in The Role of Education in Preparing a Competitive Labor Preparing a Competitive Labor

Force in Latin AmericaForce in Latin America

Jessica GoepfertJessica GoepfertJennifer KookenJennifer Kooken

Karen NevinsKaren NevinsElise PlunkettElise Plunkett

Heather VincolaHeather Vincola

IMAGINE ...IMAGINE ...

You have 5 years of education

Your schoolbuilding is falling

apart

You are using1960 curriculum

Your teacher has 11 years of

education

You have oldtextbooks (if youhave any at all)

Importance of EducationImportance of Education

Education is the key to promoting Education is the key to promoting equitable and sustainable economic growthequitable and sustainable economic growth

Raises the level of human and intellectual capitalRaises the level of human and intellectual capital

Enhances productivityEnhances productivity

Develops autonomous and informed citizensDevelops autonomous and informed citizens

Historic Role of EducationHistoric Role of EducationLatin America (Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s)Latin America (Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s)

Time PeriodTime Period EconomicEconomicGoalGoal

Role of EducationRole of Education

Late 1800’s -Late 1800’s - Early 1900’sEarly 1900’s

ExportExportModernization; National educationModernization; National educationsystems; Focus on development insystems; Focus on development inurban areas; Industrial innovationurban areas; Industrial innovation

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaPrimary Enrollment

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

1869 1914

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaAdult Literacy

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

1869

Historical Role of EducationHistorical Role of EducationLatin America (1930’s - 1950’s)Latin America (1930’s - 1950’s)

Time PeriodTime Period EconomicEconomicGoalGoal

Role of EducationRole of Education

Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s

Export Modernization; National education systems; Focus on development in urban areas; Industrial innovation

1930’s - 1950’s1930’s - 1950’s ISIISI Government spending; Develop Government spending; Develop skilled labor force to support ISIskilled labor force to support ISI

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaPrimary Enrollment

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

1869 1914 1947

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaAdult Literacy

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

1869 1947

Historical Role of EducationHistorical Role of EducationLatin America (1950’s - 1970’s)Latin America (1950’s - 1970’s)

Time PeriodTime Period EconomicEconomicGoalGoal

Role of EducationRole of Education

Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s

Export Modernization; National education systems; Focus on development in urban areas; Industrial innovation

1930’s - 1950’s ISIGovernment spending; Develop skilled labor force to support ISI

1950’s - 1970’s1950’s - 1970’s EconomicEconomicExpansionExpansion

Emphasis on technology and Emphasis on technology and science; Focus on quality rather science; Focus on quality rather than equality; Elite & gender gapthan equality; Elite & gender gap

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaPrimary Enrollment

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

1869 1914 1947 1960

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at ArgentinaAdult Literacy

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

1869 1947 1960

Historical Role of EducationHistorical Role of EducationLatin America (1970’s - 1980’s)Latin America (1970’s - 1980’s)

Time PeriodTime Period EconomicEconomicGoalGoal

Role of EducationRole of Education

Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s

Export Modernization; National education systems; Focus on development in urban areas; Industrial innovation

1930’s - 1950’s ISIGovernment spending; Develop skilled labor force to support ISI

1950’s - 1970’s EconomicExpansion

Emphasis on technology and science; Focus on quality rather than equality; Elite & gender gap

1970’s - 1980’s1970’s - 1980’sInternationalInternationalExpansionExpansion

Growth despite oil crisis; Expand Growth despite oil crisis; Expand access to education; Back to basics access to education; Back to basics focus on primary & secondaryfocus on primary & secondary

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at Argentina

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

1970 1975

Repetition Rates of First Graders

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at Argentina

Historical Role of EducationHistorical Role of EducationLatin America (1980’s - 1990’s)Latin America (1980’s - 1990’s)

Time PeriodTime Period EconomicEconomicGoalGoal

Role of EducationRole of Education

Late 1800’s - Early 1900’s

Export Modernization; National education systems; Focus on development in urban areas; Industrial innovation

1930’s - 1950’s ISIGovernment spending; Develop skilled labor force to support ISI

1950’s - 1970’s EconomicExpansion

Emphasis on technology and science; Focus on quality rather than equality; Elite & gender gap

1970’s - 1980’s InternationalExpansion

Growth despite oil crisis; Expand access to educ.; Back to basics focus on primary & secondary

1980’s - 1990’s1980’s - 1990’s SurvivalSurvival

Decrease in spending (reforms of Decrease in spending (reforms of 60’s & 70’s not implemented); 60’s & 70’s not implemented); Privatization & decentralizationPrivatization & decentralization

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at Argentina

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at Argentina

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

Repetition Rates of First Graders

A Look at ArgentinaA Look at Argentina

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

Repetition Rates of First Graders

Current Educational Issues Current Educational Issues in Latin Americain Latin America

Quality:Quality: Teacher shortages in Teacher shortages in

rural areas; under-rural areas; under-educatededucated

15% of all children 15% of all children repeat gradesrepeat grades

Outdated curriculumOutdated curriculum Poor infrastructurePoor infrastructure

Equality:Equality: GenderGender Rural vs. urban areasRural vs. urban areas Private vs. publicPrivate vs. public

Current Role of EducationCurrent Role of Educationin Latin Americain Latin America

Current ReformsCurrent Reformsin Latin Americain Latin America

Increased spending:Increased spending: Government spending increased 25% in past 10 Government spending increased 25% in past 10

yearsyears In 1998, Brazil spent $3B on education and made In 1998, Brazil spent $3B on education and made

districts more accountabledistricts more accountable Corporate sponsorship of schools is being looked Corporate sponsorship of schools is being looked

at in Brazilat in Brazil

Decentralization of decision-making:Decentralization of decision-making: More community and parent involvement at local More community and parent involvement at local

levellevel

Current ReformsCurrent Reformsin Latin Americain Latin America

Use of Technology:Use of Technology: Use of interactive TV to help teachers reach children Use of interactive TV to help teachers reach children

in remote areasin remote areas• ““Telescundaria” in Mexico, “Enlaces” in Chile & “TELAR” Telescundaria” in Mexico, “Enlaces” in Chile & “TELAR”

in Argentinain Argentina

Radio programs have proven to be cost effective in Radio programs have proven to be cost effective in Nicaragua, Venezuela and Costa Rica Nicaragua, Venezuela and Costa Rica

Costa Rica is bringing computer labs to all classroomsCosta Rica is bringing computer labs to all classrooms Use of distance learning for students & teachersUse of distance learning for students & teachers

Current ReformsCurrent Reformsin Latin Americain Latin America

Student Training & Mentoring Programs:Student Training & Mentoring Programs: In Colombian rural areas, older children tutor In Colombian rural areas, older children tutor

younger onesyounger ones OAS & Mercosur region have both encouraged OAS & Mercosur region have both encouraged

job training programsjob training programs

Teacher Training: Teacher Training: Offer enhanced classroom management skillsOffer enhanced classroom management skills Raise the bar to tertiary level trainingRaise the bar to tertiary level training

Current ReformsCurrent Reformsin Latin Americain Latin America

Curriculum Changes:Curriculum Changes: Incorporate creativity to stimulate learningIncorporate creativity to stimulate learning New topics related to rural life are being created New topics related to rural life are being created

(study of soil erosion)(study of soil erosion) Creation of indigenous education program in 1998 Creation of indigenous education program in 1998

to promote multiculturalismto promote multiculturalism Emphasis on math and scienceEmphasis on math and science Industry-tied curriculum (vocational skills training)Industry-tied curriculum (vocational skills training)

A Look at Argentina: IssuesA Look at Argentina: Issues

Decentralization to districts and provinces Decentralization to districts and provinces negatively impacted education:negatively impacted education: Less money for educational infrastructureLess money for educational infrastructure Teachers making less moneyTeachers making less money Lack of accountability at local levelLack of accountability at local level Drop-out rate at 14%Drop-out rate at 14% Poorer communities suffer disproportionatelyPoorer communities suffer disproportionately

A Look at Argentina: ReformsA Look at Argentina: Reforms

Neoliberal reform under MenemNeoliberal reform under Menem Reduced state role in economic developmentReduced state role in economic development Cut $280M from education budget to pay debtCut $280M from education budget to pay debt

New hope under de la RuaNew hope under de la Rua Ended “tent of dignity” teacher’s strikeEnded “tent of dignity” teacher’s strike Passed tax bill to raise $600M for educationPassed tax bill to raise $600M for education Increased teacher salaries ($200 - $300/ month)Increased teacher salaries ($200 - $300/ month)

Key Success FactorsKey Success Factors

Consensus among key stakeholders:Consensus among key stakeholders: Increased parental and community participationIncreased parental and community participation Commitment of local and national businessesCommitment of local and national businesses Stable or increasing government spendingStable or increasing government spending

Further exploration of non-traditional Further exploration of non-traditional teaching methodsteaching methods

Provide better training and incentives for Provide better training and incentives for teachersteachers

Imagine the possibilities...Imagine the possibilities...