Corporacion Multi Inversiones issued the following announcement on Dec. 16.
Guatemala will adopt a hybrid school cycle in 2021, with face-to-face and virtual classes, after the covid-19 caused that in more than 190 countries of the world it was decided to suspend face-to-face classes at all levels, in order to prevent the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact.
Education is considered a fundamental pillar to guarantee the progress of societies and their individuals. At the same time, quality and safe training for students is key, despite the health emergency. Donations and sustainable social development programs of companies become essential to reactivate a return to school.
For example, Hidroeléctrica Renace, through its Educational Excellence program, made a donation of supplies and furniture estimated at more than Q274 thousand. The donation contributes to the hybrid model established for 2021 by the Ministry of Education. Children and young people will receive classes that combine learning in the classroom and at home.
The furniture for school canteens and school hygiene kits were delivered to 24 primary education establishments and nine basic education establishments, which will serve to strengthen educational processes in the neighboring area of the Renace hydroelectric plant and prepare conditions when students return to the facilities. schools in the 23 communities neighboring the project.
Valuable contribution
Romelia Méndez, coordinator of development and infrastructure programs, indicated that for Renace it is important that school environments are adequate to receive children and young people when they return to their classes. "The supplies will allow students to be protected and any contagion can be prevented in the educational establishment."
The school hygiene kits delivered add up to an investment of Q274 thousand, whose value corresponds to more than 2,500 supplies, made up of alcohol gel cans, gallons of chlorine, liters of antibacterial soap, garbage kits, brooms, rolls of paper toilet, fumigation pumps, droppers and sanitizing trays.
In the case of school canteens, more than 700 supplies were delivered, including folding tables and benches, pots, ladles and wooden pallets.
"With the furniture, children can enjoy their school meals in a suitable space," said Méndez, noting that Renace's contributions are considered "valuable" by community members, parents and teachers.
Postcovid educational excellence
Although the distance education modality, education via the internet, remains in force for the 2020 school year, Renace with the economic investment confirms its support for educational excellence in the post-covid era. With this new donation, more than 4,300 students living in areas neighboring the hydroelectric project are helped, as well as the well-being, sustainability and continuity of local development in 23 communities.
Similarly, Renace with its generation of 301 MW (16% of the country's energy demand) is one of the various actors in the electricity sector in Guatemala that in the midst of the pandemic proved to be essential for people's daily lives, and the economic and productive sectors of the country.
If the operation of this industry stops, hospitals (public, temporary and private), refrigerators to keep medicines and artificial respiration equipment would be affected. The stable energy service also allowed digital learning to be possible during confinement, benefiting Guatemalan students who no longer attended face-to-face classes.
Access and school permanence
With the Educational Excellence program, focused on childhood, mainly children between five and 15 years old. The Hydroelectric Complex seeks to improve access and school permanence, supporting the construction of schools, provision of materials, access to all digital educational tools, as well as teacher training and school scholarships. It is estimated to date the children benefited at the primary level add up to 4,020, in addition to 697 young people who study the basic level.
Noé Cucul, social manager of the Educational Excellence program, commented for the children and young people of the 23 communities that not interrupting their studies can mean that a better future job. "They may have the opportunity to be hired earning more than, for example, in agriculture."
“I have seen young people from the communities who studied until they graduated from third grade, and now work in the commercial center of the town. That is the importance that they continue with their studies and learn a second language (Spanish) ”, he said.
The program is aligned with Objective 4: Quality Education, of the Sustainable Development Goals, known by its acronym ODS. This goal is based on the fact that education is one of the most powerful and proven engines to ensure sustainable development. Renace with its 7 programs of its Shared Value Strategy supports this vision.
While covid-19 forced schools to close their doors, impacting an unprecedented number of students around the world. Students, teachers, parents, government and companies can support the resumption of educational activities, prioritizing the health and well-being of their students.
Commitment
According to Cucul, who has had the opportunity to participate in several of the deliveries to the communities, points out that the aid is "well received." “The community, parents and teachers see it as positive. They also assume the commitment to give the appropriate use to the inputs, ”he commented. "A return to classrooms without alcohol in gel and soap would be difficult for children and young people," concludes the social manager.
Original source: https://www.cmi.co/es/item/719-comunidades-se-preparan-para-un-retorno-seguro-a-clases-en-2021
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