Back to classes in Azuay. Parish students return to presence with educational deficiencies and ‘fear of failure’

About 20,000 technical and rural high school students returned to face-to-face classes in zone 6 of the Ministry of Education, which includes the provinces of Azuay, Cañar and Morona Santiago. While the authorities inaugurated the day in an urban campus in Cuenca with great fanfare, a different reality was being experienced in rural areas.

With determination and self-management, managers seek to solve some infrastructure deficiencies and provide emotional support for young people.

At the San Joaquín Educational Unit, located in the rural parish of the same name, the morning was one of expectation for teachers and students. Some had already seen each other because on their own initiative and in view of their social reality they approved a Voluntary Return Plan, but since Monday, with the obligation, the panorama was different.

Rector Eduardo Zambrano commented that in San Joaquín, where it is common for there to be three or four children in the same household, they do not have devices or internet. Some minors work or accompany their parents who are informal traders, or simply stay home alone.

Due to the closure of virtual classes, stress and anxiety, they noticed that many students arrived shy and with “fear of failure,” said Sonia Villa, vice-rector for the morning session. Therefore, a good part of their work will focus on motivating and leveling them academically, since they are aware that there is a lag due to the educational model forcibly implemented by the pandemic.

There are 846 students enrolled in this campus, among them is 16-year-old Johnatan Sisalima, who arrived very smart for his face-to-face classes. What he liked the most was leaving the house because since March 2020 he has been locked up, he said.

To help with his struggling household finances, Jonhnatan sought a part-time job that supports him to this day. That is why now his daily workday will include leaving classes at noon and at 3:00 p.m. to appear in a chicken shed in the neighboring parish of Sayausí where he has been working.

His partner, Rodolfo Contreras, who lives alone with mother, was also encouraged in the return to face-to-face classes because he feels that he did not learn well behind the screen, especially Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

As in most public schools, infrastructure failures are the order of the day. Before December 6, when according to the schedule they must enter the rest of high school and tenth, ninth and eighth grades, the rector of the UE San Joaquín must solve several problems, such as the lack of broadband internet for laboratories, restore the ceilings, change floors, plug leaks, among others.

The Ministry relies on what it can because of the lack of money, says the rector, who has also had to sign agreements with the Parish Government, summon mingas and ask for parental support.

In Zone 6 there are 19,558 high school students, according to official data.

Parents’ concern in Tungurahua

From very early on Monday, the technical high school students hurried their steps, some accompanied by parents or another relative, who wanted to make sure that the biosecurity measures were complied with due to the concern about COVID-19.

Luis Yánez accompanied his granddaughter, who was happy to be reunited with the companions that she had only seen through a screen. The man hopes that with the vaccination and the care that the young people have, infections will be avoided.

José Corela also arrived with his daughter, concerned, because he considered that they should wait a little longer before making the decision to return to face-to-face classes.

The parents of the Ambato Educational Unit reported that the previous week they made a minga to leave the classrooms in the best conditions, and made a financial contribution in order to acquire alcohol to place them in the bathrooms.

90% of the enrolled students attended this school, the vast majority arrived without the uniform. In the formation, the due distancing was kept. Mario Núñez, deputy inspector general, called on the students to always keep their masks on, to permanently use alcohol or antiseptic gel and asked them not to touch their faces with their hands.

He also indicated that the breaks will be at different times to avoid crowds.

The governor of Tungurahua, Fernando Gavilanes, indicated that about 50 of the 217 educational establishments in the province complied with the presentation of the protocols for returning to face-to-face classes, so not all schools could receive their students in person. (I)