A Small Explanation of the Project

Honduran Education Project

In Honduras, Primary School (Grades 1-6) is meant to be free and compulsory for all children. People living in rural areas, especially, have difficulty finding opportunities for their children to achieve a Primary level of education. Often, children are needed to help provide income or labour for family survival. Students must repeat grades regularly. On average, students take 9.4 years to finish their Primary education.

Class sizes range from a minimum of 40 to a maximum of 70 students. An experienced school teacher earns less than $300.00 a month for a full teaching load (36 hours of class time per week). Textbooks, reading materials and teaching equipment are sadly lacking.

Not surprisingly, illiteracy in the rural areas is as high as 80%. Less than 45% of all Honduran students are able to continue on to Secondary Education.

Christian Peacemakers International has been working in Honduras for the past six years. Recognizing the need for education alternatives, we have set out to offer a Computer Assisted Learning Program for Grades 7-9. Working with the Honduran government, we will put a specially designed curriculum focusing on rural needs and realities into computer format.

Each student will receive their course content on a computer flash drive. Pods of students in each village will be assisted with a computer on which they can study and do their work. Each student can access a teacher via the internet from the nearest Internet Café. After completing each unit, the students will take an exam. In addition to exams, students will be required to acquire a minimum proficiency in Word Processing and do a small project in the fields of public health, nutrition, appropriate development or integrated agriculture.

This three year pilot project will seek to develop a method of allowing students of all ages and locations an opportunity to further their own education without having to leave homes and families. In the broader picture, it will allow the Honduran Government to reach thousands of students without need of huge investments in infrastructure and personnel.

Bryan