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EVERYBODY CAN LEARN!

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The desks are organized in a circle and a group of second graders eagerly awaits as their teacher, Ms. Senaida, places multi-coloured cards on the floor. “Okay, let’s match the words that rhyme with each other!” The children run forward one-by-one and pick up the cards. They then place them on the blackboard in the front of the classroom, “Very good!” Senaida exclaims proudly as the children repeat the matching words in unison.

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The Mi Independencia School in San Miguelito village is one of several schools in Honduras that have started to implement the Everyone Can Learn programme. The initiative is a global methodology that has proven that strong teacher training, combined with improved pedagogical practices and a personalized monitoring of students reduces repetition and drop-outs, significantly improving the quality of learning. The programme even expands beyond the school walls providing strategies on how to include parents in the learning process.

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“Sometimes parents don’t prioritize schooling. Many are farmers and they don’t see the added value in education since many didn’t go to school themselves,” says Elsa, one of the members in the parental association. The individualised monitoring helps both the teachers and parents keep track of children’s progress and attendance – they now are more aware when children stop coming to school.

“We have knocked on many doors in the village to speak to parents and explain the importance of school and learning. Several children who had left have returned to school. We are proud to say that almost all of our children are in school now.”

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Ms. Lilia Reynelda watches as Senaida conducts her lesson. She is the municipal coordinator for Everybody Can Learn and leads the entire San Miguelito district. “The implementation has gone really well here in the district, and the support we have received from UNICEF has helped us change the way we think about learning. We make sure that all children, even those with disabilities, are included in the curriculum. No child is left behind.”

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Genhuar is seven years old and lives only two blocks from the school. “I really like coming to school. My teacher is so nice and we play a lot of fun games. I’ve learned numbers, rhymes, songs and different games.” He smiles and excitedly announces, “It’s fun to learn!”

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“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Senaida shares. “But I used to be very shy and quiet. The teaching methods I received when I was growing up weren’t suitable for my personality. In the end I managed to make it through, but I never liked school that much.”

Senaida has been a teacher for 8 years now and teaches second and fifth grade at the Mi Independencia School. She received training in the Everybody Can Learn methodology and thinks it should be rolled out to all schools in Honduras.

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“Using this method has been a great experience.” Senaida says “The children are happier and more excited to start class every morning, and I can really see an overall increase in participation and the speed of learning. This is a completely new type of teaching that really accommodates to more personalities. It will help us keep our children in school – because it makes learning smart and fun.”

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UNICEF HondurasConcept, Stories & Design: Caroline BachPhotography: © UNICEF/Honduras/2015/Caroline BachPermission is required to reproduce any part of this publication.

All facts in this book are drawn from the most recent availablestatistics from UNICEF and partners.

© United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 2016