Challenges for secondary education in Ecuador, prepared by Ana María Núñez and Helen Camacho.

1. 
Secondaryeducation in Ecuador: Problems and
prospects
María Helen Camacho
Ana María Núñez

2. Outline
 Background
 Structure of the education system:
Secondary education, Sp. Education & Specializations
 Trends: Indicators
 Quality assurance
 EFA Efforts: Broadening education coverage; Prospects &
Plans
 Problems & Challenges
 Conclusions

3. Background
 Latin America: Adapting strategies
 Variables that affect SE performance
 Evolution in enrolment for the last 20 years
 Importance of private enrolment
 Expansion of female participation
 EFA Efforts

4. Structure

5. Secondary Education
Basic, diversified and specialized.
Preparation aims to achieve interdisciplinary integration in order to
allow students to perform different jobs and continue studies.
Objectives:
Provide Promote
humanistic, research and Prepare mid-level Deepening
scientific, technical experimentation to professionals to scientific training
and labor skills to prepare the meet the to enable students
allow the student to student to requirements of to be able to
cope contribute economic continue higher
individual, social efficiently to the development the education studies.
and professional development of country.
fields. science and
technology;

6. Secondary education for people with special
needs
 There are several programs: psycho pedagogic support,
educative integration, educative inclusion, and student
participation.
 A range of 31000 students are covered with special education
services, whether they are pupils, young adults or adults with
disabilities.
 EFA_VI is a campaign and a a global program from the
international council of education of persons with visual
disabilities (ICEVI).

7. Specialization courses
 The specialization course is intended to training of mid-level
professionals.
 Its basis rests on the requirements of social development,
economic development, and, individual
Bachelor in Science
Bachelor in Arts
Technical Bs.

8. Indicators
Transition of Primary to Secondary Education in 2005 78%
Source: UNESCO World Education Report, 2006
GER NER
1995 2002 2005* 1995* 2002* 2005*
50 60 65 n/a 50 55
Source: * UNESCO World Education Report, 1995; 1998 World Bank, World Development Indicators
Repeaters in Secondary 2005 Percentage of Repeaters 2005
31,076 4%
Source: UNESCO World Education Report

9. Indicators
Percentage Female Students Secondary GPI for NET enrolment
2005 2005
50% 1,02
Source: UNESCO World Education Report
Pupil Teacher Ratio in Secondary
1995* 2009*
13 22
Source: * UNESCO World Education Report, 1995; 1998 World Bank, World Development Indicators
Percentage of Trained Teachers in Secondary 78%
Source: UNESCO World Education Report

10. Quality assurance
 Increasing dependency on private schools.
 2003: DINAMEP
 Examinations held by Ministry of education.

11. EFA
Broadening Education Coverage: Achievements
 Incentives for voluntary retirement for teachers.
 Incorporation and appointment of new teachers.
 Elimination of barriers to entry into the education system
(free text books and elimination of the $25 payment).
 Development of standards for equipment, furniture,
teaching material and school uniforms.

12. EFA
Broadening Education Coverage: Achievements
 Discussion of new teaching model.
 Basic alternative education (4th to 10th grades in spanish in
rural areas)
 Alternative high school program (physical presence modality,
via correspondence and tele-secondary).

13. EFA
Broadening Education Coverage: Achievements
 Construction of national plans for inclusive education,
environmental education, orientation and students’ welfare
model.
 Affiliation to the International Baccalaureate Organization for
22 stage schools in Ecuador.

14. Problems & Challenges
Challenges:
 Achieve and strengthen the universalization of Basic
education through the Ten Year Education Plan.
 Reach quality, equity and coverage based on a
pedagogical model which responds to the needs of the
society.

15. Problems & Challenges
Challenges:
 Ten-Year Education Plan aims to increase High School
registration to reach at least 75% of the population of that
age group. Its goal is to train young people with skills that
will allow them to continue their higher education and
incorporate them into a productive life conscious of their
national identity with a multicultural and multiethnic focus.

16. Problems & Challenges
Problems:
 Teachers still work under outdated and traditional
pedagogical models.
 Access to education particularly in rural areas.
 Free education covers only Basic Education (1st to 10th
grades).
 Students with disabilities have access to secondary
education but the school staff in public schools is not
properly trained to meet their needs.

17. Problems & Challenges
 The lack of other didactic resources, equipment and
teachers’ manuals is still affecting education.
 Repetition rates and dropouts.
 Infant and youth need to work for helping their families.