Objective

Welcome to our website ! Our vision is to inspire & promote international understanding through education and cultural exchange between South America - Ecuador and the rest of the world. To help people rediscover life with purpose, integrity and compassion, benefit from our experiences, and acquire knowledge for living in harmony in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. To share our "life changing adventure experiences" with family and friends worldwide. We have consolidated a wealth of the best resources on Ecuador, along with travel journals and photos. Our hope is that you will find this a valuable, user friendly resource network, which enriches your life, enables you to learn, challenges your thinking, and empowers you to discover and undertake your own new experiences and adventures.

in all our web pages highlighted underligned colored text represents an active link, and you can enlarge all of our photos by simply clicking your mouse on them.

We welcome your feedback, questions and suggestions and hope that you return often.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Higher Education in Ecuador






Having spent the last several months working with a project in higher education with tourism students from Canada we have learned a lot in the education hallways of Ecuador.

 
In Ecuador public school education is compulsory until the age of 14. Inadequate Public education here has resulted in overcrowding of schools and the growth of attendance at private schools. In fact the education model here is almost opposite to North America where the majority attend public schools and private schools are reserved for the elite. In South America the private schools receive the majority of the students with the limited public school capacity, and poor quality.

A high percentage of children, especially in rural areas, do not ever attend high school. About 40 percent of those who do attend high school go to private schools. The United Nations Human Development report ranked Ecuador as 80th out of 182 countries in 2007, in terms of human development factors such as, life expectancy, literacy and per capita GDP.

The Constitution passed in 2008 eliminated tuition fees for the public universities, in a step to make education more accessible to all.

Ecuador's higher education systems consists of over 75 Universities, of which about half are public, and over 300 institutions that provide higher technical or vocational training. Most Universities provide a wide range of subject areas while polytechnics and some other schools specialize. Graduate level education is relatively immature in Ecuador, having only started in 2000. In fact Ecuador's first doctoral candidates have yet to graduate ! Not all University professors have a Master's degree, and only some University presidents and research professors have doctoral degrees. Very few school teachers have any degree or higher education.




Ecuador's President Rafael Correa, a former University Economics Professor educated in University of Illinois, is undertaking strong measures to improve higher education standards in Ecuador. Ecuador has 75 Universities educating some 625,000 students. "Ecuador probably has the worst universities" in South America, he said in an interview at the presidential palace. Many of the failing universities, which serve 69,500, "are cheating their students because they don't have the minimum elements to guarantee academic excellence," he said. But despite his being a former academic, the president and his ideas are opposed by university leaders. They charge him with trying to undermine university autonomy in violation of the Constitution.

The National Council of Higher Education, known as CONESUP, oversees and accredits all higher education institutions. Universities maintain a great deal of autonomy although this is beginning to change in an effort to tie university education more directly to the country's workforce needs. The reform of higher-education is seen as a key prerequisite to the country's development.


The government's evaluation process created a significant hole in the traditional autonomy of universities. Ecuador's efforts to improve higher education poses a threat to dozens of privately owned 'garage universities.' Twenty four privately owned Universities have received a failing grade from the government's assessment. If these Universities do not make major improvements they will be closed. Two government schools also received failing grades and may be shut down. This has created a lot of anxiety and uncertainty amongst current students.

Many of the schools receiving a failing grade are younger institutions and administrators argue the measures used, clearly placed them at a disadvantage to their older well established peer institutions.

Improvement measures include the implementation of admission requirements this year based on aptitude. That will replace a chaotic and often unfair system in which many students got into schools because of their connections. Admission criteria vary by school and may include entrance exams and secondary school grades. Tuition at public institutions is very low since they are heavily subsidized while private institutions charge substantial tuition fees.





Although controversial, Correa's proposal seeks to improve the quality of teaching. By 2017, all professors must have at least a master's degree, and many will now be required to have a doctoral degree. Currently Ecuador only has 250 full-time professors with doctorates, all from foreign institutions. "Here, anyone thinks they can be a university professor," the president was quoted as saying by the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina. "I graduated and I started to teach a course on economic dynamics, and I am now ashamed of the stupidity of what I taught."

In order to increase the pool of qualified professors, the government has embarked on an ambitious scholarship program. Several years ago, the country gave scholarships for postgraduate study abroad to about 20 students a year. In 2011 1,070 students received the scholarships. In 2012 they expect over 3,000 students. The program requires the students studying abroad to return to Ecuador for twice the amount of time the government sponsored their education abroad.

The current proposal also seeks to increase enrollment, particularly among underprivileged students, by creating six new public universities and bringing two others under state control. Critics argued that the existing universities are sufficient to meet demand, and that creating new ones would only divert scarce government funds. Ecuador has one of the highest university matriculation rates in the region—23 percent, compared with the regional average of 18 percent.

Other standards are been proposed such as a minimum of 60 % of teaching faculty should be full time. A recommended minimum level of computer resources available for students.

He will also create a new academic accrediting agency, and tighten government control over the university system through a revamped governing body, the National Council for Higher Education. There is a global trend for country governments to demand more accountability from their Universities.

Originally places to train priests, the universities of Ecuador have gone through changing missions. While more recently they have trained students in the law, arts, and philosophy, they now prepare to train students in engineering, technology, and CIS. Ecuador's universities are changing to meet the challenges of the technological age. During the colonial period, the authorizations for universities were by papal authority, royal decree, or authority of the Council of the Indies. All the universities established during the colonial era emulated the University of Salamanca model, which emphasized theology, law, arts, and medical studies. The Universidad de San Fulgencio de Quito was Ecuador's first university. It was authorized by papal bull in 1586.



Progress of higher education in Ecuador seems to be out of control because external economic and political forces have changed the characteristics, emphasis, curriculum, and student populations of most public institutions. Certainly the sifting of the educational, political, and economic agendas has resulted in new goals, priorities, and missions for public universities. New academic and economic models had to become important to the higher education system. Extreme financial constraints have challenged the traditional rights of public higher education. Reform has been difficult and is not likely to further equalize university entrance. Perhaps the greatest problem is one that is seen in many countries: budgets were not compensated when enrollment increases occurred.

Thus the growing demand for admittance to universities and access to academia through public universities over-came the delivery abilities of those schools.

University budgets were almost entirely consumed by faculty and staff salaries with no room for the physical plant and operating costs.

The problem that public institutions are facing is one of growing elitism. With rising student fees, increasing technological costs, and governments less willing to continue to pay the traditional percentage of the cost of educating a student. After exhausting student fees Universities creatively privatize services. In the 1990's over half of a University's operating budget was self-generated. Free higher education is a longstanding tradition in Latin America and often constitutionally guaranteed.

Interesting these developing countries funding models may be leading, as Post Secondary Education in North America has been trending this way for the last several decades. Contrasted with funding models in other countries where government continues to fund a significant share, student tuition fees contribute 15 - 25 %, and privatized services play a small but increasing role in funding the University.



28 comments:

  1. thank you for this post. I wonder if I can send you a couple of questions. I am doing a project on education in Ecuador for my Ed.S. class at Appalachian State University in NC. I am doing alot of reading and seeing how things are changing. My future daughter-in-law is from Ecuador and a great resource but I would love to see if you could help me with 1-2 questions. i.e. do students pay for their own books, what are the options for adult learning or non-formal education, etc. I can be reached at gahwagner@yahoo.com
    Thank you
    Gail Henson

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is good to have a population, which is able to read, but infinitely better to have people able to distinguish what is worth reading.Writingelites testimonials

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a matter of fact, there was actually plenty of jobs there because there is a shortage of special education teachers in 49 out of our 50 states. Imagine that..write my essay

    ReplyDelete
  4. It was wondering if I could use this write-up on my other website, I will link it back to your website though.Great Thanks. fake degrees

    ReplyDelete
  5. And that key element is Education. If they fail in that, then it leads to the total disaster of the country's social, political and economic aspects. There is nothing more dangerous than unemployed, uneducated or undereducated young people. Summer camps for kids

    ReplyDelete
  6. Most all area is identifying with education must be purchased. Book, chalk, ruler, and instructing help promptly utilizes for instance, must be purchased. In this manner, education requires cost. bestpastpapers

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is a truly good site post. Not too many people would actually. the way you just did. I am really impressed that there is so much information about this subject that have been uncovered and you’ve done your best. with so much class. If wanted to know more about green smoke reviews. than by all means come in and check our stuff. Learn more

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm energetic I discovered this blog! Every now and then, understudies need to subjective the keys of beneficial brilliant articles making. Your top notch data about this awe-inspiring post can change into a fitting purpose for such people. flabbergasting one   BGSU.edul

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for your post. I’ve been thinking about writing a very comparable post over the last couple of weeks, I’ll probably keep it short and sweet and link to this instead if thats cool. Thanks. BGSU.edul

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject. kids learning apps

    ReplyDelete
  11. There will be no need to carry big and heavy bags to school and colleges. And because of the advancement in science and technology all the lessons and lectures will be provided online.March Break Art Camp

    ReplyDelete
  12. Regular visits listed here are the easiest method to appreciate your energy, which is why why I am going to the website everyday, searching for new, interesting info. Many, thank you  click site WPSC2011

    ReplyDelete
  13. In the course of the most recent two decades I have worked with more custom curriculum understudies than I can recollect as a specialized curriculum educator and an ordinary instruction instructor training incorporation classes. Services

    ReplyDelete
  14. Really, I enjoy your site with effective and useful information. It is included very nice post with a lot of our resources. thanks for sharing. I enjoy this post
    dissertation writing service

    ReplyDelete
  15. For the most part the term esteem is immediately connected with strict qualities. It is accepted by numerous Indians that qualities are only the strict and otherworldly core values of life. Thus, it is assumed that the way is as of now been laid for the existence venture. beauty schools

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post. writing

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great Article it its really informative and innovative keep here: with new updates. Its was really valuable. Thanks a lot. hocdot.com/giai-toan-8/c6.htm

    ReplyDelete
  18. Yes, I am entirely agreed with this article, and I just want say that this article is very helpful and enlightening. I also have some precious piece of concerned info !!!!!!Thanks. hocdot.com/giai-toan-8/c6.htm

    ReplyDelete
  19. Awesome and interesting article. Great things you've always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post. tony robbins events

    ReplyDelete
  20. I never remark on sites yet your article is exceptionally instructive that I was unable to keep down myself from remarking on your blog. You're truly working superbly. A debt of gratitude is in order for the pertinent data.
    Instagram likes

    ReplyDelete
  21. In the blog is useful for me about Art of Self-Discovery. I am happy to realize that the article is actually quite acceptable. I am acknowledge in the work. A debt of gratitude is in order for partaking in the data. More Information

    ReplyDelete
  22. Scholarship application essay is an essay that is required for a scholarship or college admission application. It is a great tool to test the writing skills of a student and understand the student as a person. The purpose of scholarship essay is to convince the admission committee or judges that the student is the most appropriate candidate for the scholarship. essay help

    ReplyDelete
  23. For the teacher educator, an effective or quality teacher is one who has a good subject-matter and pedagogy knowledge, which the he/she can build upon. statisticsguruonline.com/help-for-students


    ReplyDelete
  24. I am extremely affected by your stuff. Please do a lot of and do some effort and let your audience knowledge to try to to this much.

    https://buymorefollower.com/buy-instagram-followers-greece

    ReplyDelete
  25. Worth Education is the much discussed a lot subject in the plenty of instruction in India. Obviously the facts demonstrate that the primary reason for any instruction will go with Value direction. More focus on Value training has been given at the essential and optional degree of school instruction than in advanced education in India. Qualities could be successfully bestowed to the youthful personalities as opposed to the developed ones. It could be the significant explanation behind this prime significance given at the school level. There are countless modules planned with the assistance of organizations like NCERT and others for adequately giving the worth training to the school understudies. In this specific situation, numerous creative instructive practices are being distinguished by the specialists. Great number of tests and studies are being led in the new days on the adequacy of showing esteem instruction at school level. A few schools have extremely imaginative and revolutionary course plans to grant the qualities.




    tabere internationale

    ReplyDelete
  26. This Is Really Amazing Blog Which Provide Quality Information. I Really Like To Visit This Website On Daily Basis.
    https://socialfollowerspro.uk/buy-facebook-followers/

    ReplyDelete
  27. Education is very important in every country as education can only help a country to boosts economic growth and increase the GDP of a country. Education must be free or affordable in every country so every section of society can be educated. Other educational-related services like assignments also need to be affordable so that students from every section can afford them. Unifolks ​provide affordable assignment help services to such students

    ReplyDelete

About Us

My photo
Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi, Ecuador