“I am a product of the public education system. I know it can work!” says Honduran Education Minister Marlon Escoto (pictured second to right). Unfortunately for more than a decade, the Honduran education system was not working. While Honduras spent the highest percentage of its GDP in the region on education, its students had some of the lowest test scores.
Honduran Test Scores Rising!
October 30, 2015
The Association for a More Just Society and its partners, who formed the alliance Let’s Transform Honduras (TH) saw the tragic results of this low-quality education. Drop-out levels were high, and even students that did graduate couldn’t compete for jobs with private school students, much less with students from other countries.
ASJ (formerly known as AJS) and its partners couldn’t remain silent. Starting almost four years ago, they began to investigate why Honduran education quality was so low. What they found was a system hijacked by political interests and powerful teacher unions who, in the words of Let’s Transform Honduras coordinator Blanca Munguia, “didn’t care about the future of Honduran children.”
TH’s study found that in one Honduran province 27% of teachers on the payroll were not in the classroom, and even teachers that were in the correct classroom were often not in classes for weeks on end, participating in politically motivated strikes. In fact, Honduran students were going to school three and a half months fewer than their North American counterparts. That means that by the time a student reaches 8th grade, he has missed four years of school compared to North American students!
After publicizing this information, TH sought out government authorities who were willing to work for change, but made little headway. Finally, in 2011 the president appointed a new Minister of Education, Marlon Escoto, who was willing to work with TH. He cracked down on striking teachers and required all teachers to register online to make sure they were in the correct classroom. TH contributed by training parent volunteers in schools across the country to make sure teachers and students were in the classroom.
Together, they helped Honduran schools get within three weeks of a US school year, and surpass the number of days required by Honduran law. As one of TH’s parent observers said, “The teachers haven’t skipped a day. My son told me ‘Mom! We haven’t been able to rest at all this year!”
And this transformation is already showing results. Honduran children have improved their Spanish scores by 10% and their math scores by 20% in the last three years!
This year, TH will monitor school days with continued support from the Minister of Education, who, in an unprecedented move, was just reappointed by Honduras’ new president.
Minister Escoto closes, “Something important is happening in our country right now. TH has had a continual commitment to education, and we have been able to join them.”
Choosing defiant hope over fear.
Earlier this month, The Banner published a story written by Our Shared Ministr y by Karina Guevara and Elmer Salinas . The authors showcase the work that ASJ-Honduras is doing to help and support students in Honduras. Karina and Elmer tell the story of Genesis Garcia, an 8-year-old, whose family struggles to find consistent jobs. "Genesis Garcia Baquedano is 8 years old and lives with her older brother, Anderson, and their parents in Honduras. Her parents work hard to support their family. Genesis’s father is a painter who struggles to find consistent work, and her mother is a street vendor who spends long hours away from home." According to Karina and Elmer, although Genesis is a good student, she was struggling with reading, writing, and math. This is where the ASJ-Hondurans' program, Strong Communities , comes to be a blessing. "Through God’s grace, Genesis and her family were able to join the Strong Communities program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, because the Spanish translation is Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa). Through the program, Genesis attended academic support sessions, where she impressed her tutors with her perseverance and enthusiasm. Now, Genesis’s teachers praise the program for the significant progress Genesis has been making at school." We are blessed to be able to help kids like Genesis and her family to be able to achieve their dreams and goals. You can read the full story HERE and learn more about the ASJ-Honduras Strong communities program HERE
Highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI
MY EMPTY VILLAGE / HOW IMMIGRATION AFFECTS A COMMUNITY (by Sara Pineda)
Young Hondurans have stepped up for democracy (by Blanca Stephanie Elvir)
Reflecting on 25 years of seeking justice together (by Jo Ann Van Engen)
From the Executive Director
What does paused international aid mean for ASJ?
Something Worth Waiting For
Will you walk with us for a more just society?
