Draft:Ecuador education

Education in Ecuador

Education in Ecuador is overseen by the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for the formulation and implementation of national education policy. Education in Ecuador is free and compulsory for nine years, beginning at age 6. Primary education lasts for six years, and is divided into two cycles of three years each. The first cycle focuses on learning the basics, while the second cycle focuses more on specialized knowledge. Secondary education consists of two three-year cycles. The first cycle is general, while the second cycle allows students to specialize in a particular field. Higher education in Ecuador is provided by universities and other higher education institutes. The universities are either state-run or private, and offer a range of courses from undergraduate to postgraduate level. The Ministry of Education is responsible for the accreditation of universities and other higher education institutes.

Introduction

In a context in which education is a fundamental right for everyone and a duty of the State to guarantee it (World bank). Ecuador has been one of the countries that has been concerned about its educational development by implementing reforms such as the Organic Law of Higher Education (LOEE). This law seeks to promote equal opportunities and a more equitable and inclusive society. (Georgetown University).

However, the education system in Ecuador has faced a number of challenges for some years. These challenges range from a lack of investment in education to a lack of resources to support teachers and students in the classroom. The decline in the quality of education has also been a major issue and has been a cause of concern for many. This lack of investment has led to inequality in access to education, primarily in higher education, with many students losing the opportunity to receive a quality education. Additionally, the lack of educational resources has contributed to a lack of motivation among students, which has led to a decline in academic performance. This in turn has led to an increase in the number of students leaving school before completing their studies. These challenges have affected educational quality in Ecuador and have prevented the development of a quality educational system. For this reason, this research aims to identify the main problems that exist, in order to transform these efforts, resources and reforms into better learning for students. Problems in education in Ecuador.

Firstly, insufficient funding is one of the main factors that have contributed to the problems of the education system in Ecuador. The government has provided insufficient funding for education, which has limited the amount of resources available for improving infrastructure and hiring teachers. This has had a direct impact on the quality of education provided, as teachers have less time to prepare classes and students have fewer resources to learn. This is because the budget for the educational sector in Ecuador does not comply with the 2008 Constitution, since a historic decline has been observed in recent years. This situation shows an inconsistency between what the Constitution establishes and what the country effectively assigns to the educational sector. According to data from Statista Research Department (2023), spending on education fell to 3.69% of GDP in 2021, a figure much lower than that established in the 2008 constitutional reform that required a minimum of 6% of GDP. This situation prevents the achievement of the objectives of the Ministry of Education.

GDP of Ecuador from 1970 to 2021

Secondly, the lack of adequate infrastructure is another problem with the education system in Ecuador. Many schools lack the resources necessary to offer quality education, such as books, teaching materials and computer equipment. Although the Ministry of Education is in charge of providing quality education, the resources allocated for this are insufficient. According to historical budget execution data, only 13% of the current budget is allocated to school resources, while the remaining 87% is allocated to civil servant salaries. This situation causes schools to have to resort to contributions from families to cover basic needs, such as educational materials, maintenance and infrastructure. Finally, the lack of an effective education strategy has contributed to the problems of the educational system in Ecuador. During the government of former president Rafael Correa, it was promised to improve the quality of education in the country. However, the official rights discourse was limited by the lack of a real pedagogical model or a long-term national educational project. This situation reflects the little importance given to pedagogy, neglecting the value and role of teachers, as well as the very meaning of education. Despite all the efforts invested in equipment and infrastructure, the old pedagogical model remained practically unchanged.

Conclusion

Education is a topic of utmost importance for the development of a society, and the results of an educational system can affect the future of a country. The Ecuadorian educational system, despite having the objective of promoting the achievement of learning, has presented inconsistencies that have prevented it from being achieved. As the Minister of Education points out in an interview (María Brown, 2022), it is necessary not only to increase financing, but also to create new forms of relationships in the educational system, to achieve a space for inclusion and learning. This implies strengthening the management of schools. In addition, it is necessary to provide managers and teachers with opportunities to strengthen their skills so that they can develop their professional careers successfully.

References

"Ecuador: 2008 Constitution in English". Political Database of the Americas - Georgetown University, pdba.georgetown.edu/Constitutions/Ecuador/english08.html

World Bank. "Education in Ecuador: Challenges and Opportunities." World Bank, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/education/overview

Statista Research Department. "Government expenditure on education as a share of GDP of Ecuador 2021 | Statista." 2023. www.statista.com/statistics/1390770/government-expenditure-on-education-as-a-share-of-gdp-ecuador.

· "An Interview with Maria Brown, Minister of Education in Ecuador". YouTube, uploaded by CGTN America, November 8, 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI8ushfykR0.

"Ecuador Education System". Scholaro, www.scholaro.com/db/Countries/Ecuador/Education-System.