Unlike the separation between church and state in the US, there is no such division in Nicaragua. In fact, prayer is encouraged in this school (as the name likely gives away).
The school principal is an absolutely delightful man in his sixties, a self-professed revolutionary, who is one of the most soulful people I have met in all of my travels. Even though he is incredibly busy with preparations for beginning the school year, as well as overseeing teacher training for seven other elementary schools, he has been extremely generous with his time. We've talked for hours about the Sandinista's vision (not necessarily Daniel Ortega's vision, however) to change the individualistic mindset to a communitarian one of love, respect and peace. To promote volunteerism, literacy, quality education and healthcare, to empower all of the poor to live a life of dignity. (Man, I wish HE were running the country!)
Divino Niño is the model school or 'base school' to stick with the revolutionary lingo of the new government, so the school director supports all the seven other 'neighbor schools' to try to improve the quality of education. Although this man is very humble, he did tell me that the Minister of Education himself recently visited Divino Niño and told him that this elementary school is the best one in the country. With this man's vision, it doesn't surprise me at all.
Here are the teachers outside during their break. There were several hundred of them at Divino Niño all week, discussing the government's new curriculum and new teaching strategies.
Here is the org chart in the hallway near the front office of the school. It emphasizes the active role of the students and their parents in the governance of the school.
One of the new government's policies that I really like is the emphasis on environmental education, teaching the children to have a greater respect for the Earth. One whole side of the main hallway is filled with pictures of animals and plants with messages telling the children that they are part of the Earth, that they depend on the Earth for their survival, and that they should respect and love the Earth and all living things. It's very beautiful.
My translation, which is not necessarily the best, but you'll get the idea: 'The human race introduces strange elements to the planet altering its equilibrium, causing the extinction of plants and animals. The oxygen helps to purify the air that we breath and contributes to our health, because of that it is important to protect our natural resources.'
Above the door of the principal's office, it reads, 'Now we go for quality education!' (This is huge point of the new government, that they didn't just end the Autonomous Schools Program to increase school coverage or the number of students that matriculate, but that they are also developing a better curriculum and better policies to improve the quality--not just the quantity--of education.
Some shots of the school yard. They raised money as a community to replant the school's gardens.
Most public schools are blue and white, Nicaragua's national colors. The blue and white flags hanging from the ceiling are the country's flag. Although the schools have always been blue and white and the students have always dressed in navy and blue uniforms, this government is really pushing national pride in its education--emphasizing Nicaragua's history and culture. They are trying to regain a sense of pride as a people to help develop the spirit of the country alongside the more traditional elements of education.I should note that even though I am personally very impressed with a lot of what is going on in education, that there are a lot of things that concern me with the current government, namely democratic freedoms. (I just don't want you all to think that I'm turning 'red' over here! ;-), though I have been called a 'tree-hugger' more than once in my life...)
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