German delegation visits education centre in Quito

From 22 to 26 October 2019 negotiations on bilateral development cooperation between Germany and Ecuador took place in Quito. At the invitation of DVV International, a delegation from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the German Embassy visited an education centre in Quito.

The delegation, including Franz Marrée, Director of the BMZ South America department, familiarised themselves with the work of the national education provider SEFSE (Subsistema de Educación Fiscomisional Semipresencial del Ecuador), the main partner of DVV International in Ecuador. Together they visited the Don Bosco centre in the north of the capital, one of 16 training centres in the country where SEFSE conducts courses. Adults, starting at the age of 15 and without any age limit, can complete their school-leaving exams within two years through weekend classes, and are also taught other subjects such as philosophy, sport and music. Most of the 250 adults enrolled in the programme had to drop out of school, often due to the poverty of their parents or the birth of their children. Through the SEFSE offer, they have now been given a second chance.

Alongside a general introduction to the work of SEFSE, the visit focused on practical experience in adult education. The delegation members participated in three different lessons (English, Mathematics and Philosophy) and then took the opportunity to talk to the director of the centre, the teachers and the students. They were particularly impressed by the stories told by the students, one of whom was an indigenous woman, a single mother who had completed her school-leaving certificate while still continuing to work.

DVV International has been working with SEFSE since 2015 and supports the education provider in areas such as organisational development and didactics, for example through qualification of personnel and support in the development of educational offers. By strengthening local partners to provide nationwide adult education, DVV International helps build sustainable adult education structures in Ecuador.