2023-10-20 04:20:49
Last Wednesday, in the second debate of Congress, the General Budget of the Nation (PGN) was approved, within which the highest increase was recorded for education, leaving a budget allocation for this sector at more than $70 billion.
According to the portfolio, for preschool, basic and secondary education, these resources will allow expanding initial coverage, guaranteeing comprehensive training, the well-being of teachers, the implementation of the School Feeding Program (PAE) and the strengthening of schools. rural, among others.
(The value of education in good sustainable development practices).
Likewise, the Minister of Education, Aurora Figueroa, assured that with this budget the public universities and the network of technical and technological institutes would have operating resources to finance the ‘University in your Territory’ strategy.
Now, by consulting different actors in the sector, Portafolio had the opportunity to learn about the perspectives of these people on how these resources could be managed to strengthen Colombian education.
Education
In that sense, José Manuel Restrepo, rector of the EIA University, explained to this medium that investment in education must have as its first priority guaranteeing educational quality, especially in basic and secondary education.
(Education, axis of candidates for Mayor of Barranquilla).
“Efforts must also continue where needed to guarantee 100% coverage in primary and high school education. But above all, we must think about quality, which implies investing resources in teacher training,” he noted.
The rector stated that since they are “such significant resources,” “hopefully they will be directed toward the quality of the entire system, which is the starting point so that people can have employability and the ability to understand,” he said.
Education
In turn, Gloria Bernal, director of the Educational Economics Laboratory (LEE) of the Javeriana University, pointed out that greater coverage of early childhood is essential, with comprehensive attention to issues of mental health, nutrition, sexuality and focus. of genre.
(Young people in peace: what are the conditions to apply to the program).
“An increase in the number of venues that offer a single day is essential, ideally at 100%. This accompanied by school feeding. Two meals during the single day. In addition to aggressive policies to prevent school dropouts. Also to identify dropouts and reinsert them into the educational system,” she added. Regarding the higher level, the board said that strengthening access to quality education must be prioritized.
Along the same lines, Andrea Escobar, executive director of the Entrepreneurs for Education Foundation, highlighted the repeated need to allocate a greater amount of resources to improve the quality of the preschool, basic and secondary educational levels, as well as to must improve the educational offer at the national level.
“Currently, 88% of the budget allocated to education is concentrated in the operating area, so the efficiency of the 12% allocated to investment must contribute to the development of boys, girls and young people so that they can have harmonious and complete trajectories, as well as the necessary skills to achieve their life projects,” he concluded.
Education
Innovation development
The analysts consulted reiterated the need to invest in projects that contemplate innovation.
(U. del Rosario opens the first entrepreneurship faculty in Colombia).
According to Andrea Escobar, this innovative model “must be implemented from the classrooms and promoted by the management of educational establishments and the country’s territories.”
Likewise, the rector of the EIA, José Manuel Restrepo, explained that currently education must aim to look at how to strengthen the country’s capacity in science, technology and innovation.
DIANA K. RODRÍGUEZ T.
Portfolio Journalist
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