Higher trained elementary school teachers in Siuna

• Over 77% of teachers in Siuna are now qualified
• Education Ministry and Save the Children financed courses

Managua, Nicaragua. 28.01.2015 Andrea Núñez-Flores

On Sunday, January 18^th, 250 teachers graduated as qualified elementary school teachers in the municipality of Siuna, North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN). The Ministry of Education and Save the Children have supported these educators for three years in order to reduce the high level of non-qualified teachers and thus improve the quality of education.

In 2011, 70% of teachers in Siuna were not qualified to teach in elementary school, because they only had empirical training. Now, this figure has been reduced to 16%, due to the training courses, which began in 2012 and were taught by 16 volunteer tutors.

The Delegate of Education Ministry in Siuna-Las Minas, Siles Pilar Santos, said during the graduation ceremony that: "185 of the 250 participants come from the rural area. We selected the best teachers of the town who had no appropriate training. Most of them were only high school graduates. This training will benefit all students present and future. The Education Ministry will no longer hire un-qualified teachers, so these courses have been helpful because they will allow communities to have their own qualified teachers."

One of the tutors of the courses, Professor Herrera, explained that "many participants had to overcome great difficulties to attend classes, because they live in very remote areas. Tutors were volunteers and the courses were taught during holidays and during weekends."

Family and loved ones accompanied proud participants in the graduation in a lively and emotional atmosphere.

The Education Ministry Delegate added that "the 250 teachers and the Ministry must thank the support of Save the Children, because they provided the pedagogical tools we needed. Because of that we were able to respond to the great pedagogical demands of the project. During 13 months, Save the Children financially supported 180 teachers from remote areas. They also helped tutors during these 13 months. Furthermore, they donated equipment such as a computer, improved the Education Ministry’s office and provided books and a library.”

Addressing the newly trained teachers, the Education Ministry official said that "we all hope that you give more quality education and become more committed. This will show in a higher students´ retention rate and more graduations. That can be achieved only by well trained teachers.”