It is absolutely clear then that what is at stake is none other than the survival of the institutions.  Regardless of how much they may have played a determining role in other times, just for that very reason they are obligated to modernize and come up with new approaches that will lead or contribute to satisfying the myriad of self-evident demands of today, which arise and will arise as a consequence of the spectacular progress of scientific and technological development in the present.

Now, another important conclusion can be reached:  in no country of the world can the educational system solve all existing problems, but it can contribute to a greater or lesser extent, to solving them.  So, therefore, it is the great responsibility of the school to promote a habitat suitable for students to live through the experiences necessary to enable them to learn to solve problems they’re concerned with: whether these be personal, familial, environmental or cultural.  As strange as it may seem, the most important thing is to get them to develop their ability to learn how to learn.

Logically, at least for a while, it is reasonable to continue teaching the subjects already known.  Knowledge is absolutely necessary for the development of many skills and also dexterousnesses.  But it is absolutely necessary to take into account the bio-psycho-social characteristics of students.  Moreover, the knowledge must be given as a function of student growth.  Probably the development of programs for each subject will increasingly address the real problems affecting them permanently, until the day comes when educational systems will cater entirely to satisfy the interests and needs of the entire population, without discrimination or diminishments of any kind.  It is very important to take into account that what affects good results the most is the accommodation of the student’s interests and needs within the climate of human relations established in the institution.

Now, the satisfaction of individual needs and interests must be a function of the community’s welfare as a whole.  But the achievement of a harmonious coexistence among individuals and different social groups is necessary to build it.  For as long as our civilization of abundance favors only one third of the world population and sacrifices the remaining two thirds, it is impossible to maintain stability.  This means that our social organization has to change with the purpose of becoming sustainable.

Attempting a super-synthesis, the two major concerns of mankind in regards to a future that begins today lie in making sustainable not just the use of natural resources, but also the use of human resources.

Therefore, it is essential to develop the human person within the realm of socialization.

Recent studies in the field of psycho-sociology have reached very important conclusions concerning the interactions between groups.  These include: the specificity of processes, a greater ability to change individual attitudes, the elimination of resistance to change when participating in the preparation of group projects, better quality jobs, increased productivity and creativity.

Then becomes clear the vital importance in Education to promote the elaboration of projects that favor social interaction from a very early age.

Consequently, the only thing that it can ensure is the domain  more or less acceptable, on the content of subjects taught at different levels of the system.

Like it or not to student, is required to study what programs provide, at the time, manner, timing and selection of contents that teachers will impose. Regardless of their ability to learn, must cover the amount of knowledge that has been indicated. The frequency and other characteristics of the proof of learning is rigid and the results often tend to be unjust (or at least questionable), practically final.

Unfortunately, even in small countries like Costa Rica there are differences between rural and urban areas. Between public education and private. Still worse, in the same school, from one teacher to another, the demands may be different. To the extent  it is perfectly possible that two students from one level and the same learning ability to obtain different results, depending on who attend them. Of course by now, this kind of problem is almost insoluble, it is the result of the accumulation of deficits many years ago.

The learning progress is measured almost exclusively based on traditional tests. Which is usually unfair. Even the famous tests or objective tests have caused many controversies for a long time. Were reached such unacceptable extremes, that according to the results of a particular test, had to be disapproved a whole group of students, totally normal. This matter is so trite that probably at the present time prevail the wisdom and prudence,  is to say, that at outcome in question, be granted the relative importance, in the sense that in many cases can provide useful information for different purposes. But never to decide the future of thousands and thousands of students.

Normally in the School, any student spends  a high percentage of their time, hearing reports of their teachers about different topics of the subjects taught during 30 years or more. Besides that these contents are mostly outdated, ways of teaching don´t allow at the students the development of all  the other features of your personality and their innate ability for learn to learn.

This grim reality, which continues being evident, is the product of a vision of Education called “behaviorism.” If in the past that theory was adequate for that time, the dizzying changes in the world that now we live in, show the need for a readjustment of the educational systems in all aspects of curriculum organization.

If it is wanted with homesickness, but with the objectivity that should characterize the maturity, we must recognize that Reimer with his work ” School is dead”, for many reasons, made a valuable contribution.

Higher education, despite their extreme and so very unjust elitism, is not immune to the tough questions. Within it is also possible to observe students who cry inconsolably for his failures. If the universities were aware that the shadow of obsolescence does not go far could perhaps understand the urgency of the present demands. It is your own convenience, to approaches that respond successfully to current and future needs that are perfectly predictable. Regarding to the mission of the University there are phrases that are repeated a lot: “to promote the transformation of society”, “true justice and prosperity,” “commitment to the solution of national problems” …

To justify the finding that  today’s educational systems are highly ineffective and inefficient, it is convenient to make a division into two kinds of aspects: quantitative and qualitative.

Within the first class, it is important to examine the proportion of students from a certain level who are served by the system. Thus, children in preschool, what percentage is really served?. It is clear that the only acceptable answer would be: 100%. However it is very probable that even in developed countries, the reality says otherwise. With great preoccupation we find that as the country is less developed, the figures are alarming data. At the next level, ie the primary, we can examine the percentage of students served and see “dismayed” that the result is not flattering. When examining the other levels, ie secondary and University   the situation could not be worse.

In a second phase corresponds to deepen the analysis in order to see the percentages of students served, who have had success at different levels. Finally, it would be necessary to establish the rates of promotion, but with respect to the total population. That is, with respect to all existing persons with that age level.

The necessary challenges in education systems are much more profound when what is examined is the “quality” of education and even beyond, the quality of the product

On the other hand, the problems caused by the ignorance are at sight. In any home exist problems about health,familiar relations and others.  Because nobody has the sufficient knowledge  to solve that situations. Probably at the outset were simple but  with time usually they become complicated. Some times with a fatal outcome.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The excessive ambition, impels to some individuals towards an excessive accumulation of material wealth. The one that has a million wants two and so on. Nobody is satisfied. This it has been and it continues being the reason of very many crimes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          It means then for example, that it is very difficult to determine the faults or weaknesses of the educative systems, if it is taken into account that are many the factors that influence in the learning. Rather it would think that generally, in spite of those faults and/or weaknesses the School and other institutions as the Churches contribute remarkably in the development of the people, to such point that can be said: the world turns well. That is to say, that in spite of the badnesses and atrocities that daily are seen  everywhere, in a total balance, can be thought that everything walks very well. Something as well as what they say that Galileo said: ” … and yet it moves” .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Thanks to God the humanity evolves day with day. It is right to recognize that the Institutions have contributed remarkably in that direction. To describe  the profits reached about, it would be  a difficult task. Science and Technology have allowed to solve many problems. Nevertheless, every day appear any more. Something similar to which it happens with some microorganisms that conform more are controlled, more resistant they become. Luckyly, which newborn that  at  most falls, more rises; the human race are imposed and obtains the necessary conquests in order to be adapted. Precisely this enormous adaptation capacity, tested during multimillenarian periods,  will allows your progressive march  as it can learn of yours experiences and  applies yours acquired knowledges.                                                                                                                                                                                                                Besides what has been said, many facts confirm the thesis that here is defending:  the abolition of the slavery, the blossoming of the new democracies, the globalisation of the Economies, is only some of them.                                                                                                                                                                                                             Nevertheless, as is it happening all time, the experience shows that the great problems of always, even must be, the cause of great preoccupations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Precisely in our country there was the great important event: ” Symposium on the Costa Rica of the year 2000 “. From  this,  were emanated great amount of recommendations for all the sectors,  in particular , the great challenges for our Education of the 21st century

The horrific events that is taking place in the world, are the result of a configuration in which are combined to some extent, different aspects of the factors that influence human behavior. Probably, these events will continue to happen forever and ever.
The most unfortunate thing is that the institutions created by man for the solution of their problems, with some frequency, appear to be part of it. If a teacher rapes a child, what conception of the world can make this last?

The present state of man as a person, leaves much to be desired. The selfishness, ignorance and unbridled ambition of some individuals, are the main causes of all problems. Since a baby is born, for obvious reasons, he recives  great hospitality, but this makes that he feels like a king. He is believed the center of the world. The time goes and as far as everything is provided, he is setting the conviction that everyone must serve him. Although some situations are contrary to their interests, rather encourages him  to cling more to the satisfaction of their own desires. In this direction many are able to develop great ability to exploit any advantage and reach a high level of selfishness. They become so, in great danger or threat to others.

 
 
 
Thus, to obtain information about various subjects, is necessary but not sufficient. It seems normal that in order to comply with any requirement, one must be in conditions to do so. How are you going to demand accountability, at someone who does not even know what this means?
It is unfortunate that there are those who confuse it with what they call something like “pedagogy of the poor thing,” which is a big mistake. The human creature has every right to dignity. But after that many students are degraded, yet are denied any chance to get up. This can only be described as “extreme cruelty”.

Apart from those who have been totally marginalized, the student population, in fact, is divided into three categories of students:

The privileged  are those who have everything. They have allowed  a high personal-social development. They can easily adapt to school environment. They satisfay all requirements that well might  say, are below their capacity. Their aspirations so are multiple or large, will be easily satisfied. Most of them choose a profession and get it.

A relative majority is constituted by those with varying degrees of difficulty, they can  succeed. They are those who conform “to pass”. They are in a relatively comfortable position but can not risk anything. That is, if the requirements come to  increase, they will stay in big trouble. Of these, the proportion who can finish college, is much lower.

The last segment consists of those that it is possible to call “dumbed down”. Deprived of one, two or three aspects: biological, psychological or social. The demands of the school are above their condition. The odds of success in their studies are minimal . In many cases they are left with no alternative but to defect, which often happens early.
                                                                                                                                                                                        For these latter, to approve the Primary is a feat and therefore there are few who can. While for a privileged it is easy to reach any college degree, reason why everyone can achieve.
Among the marginalized and the dumbed down is the main breeding ground for crime and other ills of society.

It is clearly acceptable, desirable and reasonable that the odds to complete their studies,  be the same for everyone. But without euphemisms or figurative languages. Unfortunately, the reality that many countries strive to maintain, is very different. This means a great waste of human potential, besides to be  unjustified, unbelievable and unacceptable, because it hurts the vast majority.

In our country, the development of processes of reflection, awareness and communication is poor and, therefore, there is much that remains to be done about it.

Now, there is talk of compromise, and it is easy to understand the convenience of it, it is reasonable to expect for it to become a reality.  But what is most important is the permanence of appropriate actions taken to reach a National Project oriented with much emphasis towards the satisfaction of the marginalized population’s basic needs.

In the short term, the institutions created to solve national problems are obligated to increase their efficacy.  Although the indexes corresponding to the different services offered increase year by year, the offset with respect to population growth is also greater every time.  An example that demonstrates this is the CCSS.  The lines that form in their clinics and hospitals to request services are immensely long, as well as the wait time for appointments which is often as much as a year or more.  If this is not inefficiency, what else can it be called?  And to think that only with the execution of a good project to teach people how to eat, their major problems could be solved!

Each project is designed to be done for a while probably of three months, so that in each school year may develop three projects in each of the different levels of Primary and Secondary.

Its advantages are: systematic, progressive, adaptable to the characteristics bio-psycho-social of pupils who will participate in the execution, availability of Creative Teaching specific objectives for each of the quarters of the appropriate level, all other details and suggestions needed to provide the best plan to do it.

It is clear that you must acquire the rights to any transactions in order to comply with the desirable formalitie established in legal levels. In particular, a process that ensures the seriousness and responsibility in fulfilling the agreements that all  involved officers previously accepted.

The offer of the Century:  Only for a few days, applying what that “the test is free”, if there are schools that want to convince and make one of these projects, in third grade (8-9 years old), they can. Contact us by email for more information:

Eduardo Arias

Glorianna Arias (In English or Spanish)

But there’s always hope. Many teachers come to acquire consciousness of the transcendent importance of their mission. It is very probably that they would be willing to offer their professional services in order to satisfy the great mentioned present  needs.

Education authorities perform functions that powerfully influence the process.Althoug sometimes they care about improving education, approaches are rarely conducive to a genuine modernization. It is posible to say that  they have not found solutions to major problems are noted on this site. For those who want to acknowledge, the evidence is clear and abundant.

In the administrative-teaching positions are required with a broader and much greater capacity than that shown by the vast majority of those who have played. It is insufficient that they limite your work to conciliation and appeasement.

The transcendent importance of a subject such as human resources deserves an approach from a prospective vision. The transformations for effects of globalization, that occur in the contexts of:  information, technology, knowledge and cultural significance of the teaching and learning processes are multiple and obvious.

They are clear the targets in the emerging countries: habitat sustainability, building a real democracy, social equity, institutional and business competitiveness.

More specifically, it is urgent to implement an educational policy compatible with globalization. For the formation of competent human resources required for the next few years, in particular, it is urgent the elaboration of an worldwide curriculum organization for the period of the Elementary and Secondary, conceived as a whole, progressive and not subject to division. Its philosophical base is to be derived from the “Humanist Conception” and the psychological is an application of the “Cognitive Theory”. For this elaboration the 5 basic principles can be called: Principle of Integration – Innovation Principle – Principle of Experimentation – Principle of Socialization and  Principle.
of Complementarity

The pollution of the planet, social injustice, hunger, disease, crime and many other problems whose existence in the world today would be absurd to deny, justify the absolute need to seek new solutions in all fields.

The world we live in changes rapidly and does so faster every time.  The number of transformations and their depth increases constantly.  The advances in science, technology and post-industrial production are overwhelming.  In the past twenty years, the rate of displacement has been multiplied by 1000.  Media outlets reduce distances.  The complexity for directing and being directed has augmented.  The individual disappears within teams that grow more numerous every time.  No doubt that, in particular, the difficulties to adapt will increase with time.

To reverse the consequences of the damages caused to the habitat, it is required to have a complete knowledge of the natural processes involved and of the changes that will allow the normal development of the same.  This implies the obligation of great transformations in the bad habits of people both individually as well as collectively.  It is obvious that the fulfillment of this type of obligations will not flourish by spontaneous generation.  Instead, it demands a new form of behavior that will make them possible.  Every individual knows that the automobile is one of the greatest contaminating agents and the grave consequences that this brings.  But there will be hardly anyone willing to renounce the privilege of owning one or more cars during a short or long time.  Just like this one, there exists any given quantity of examples that provide evidence for the bad habits.

Another major problem affecting the nation is social injustice.  Lacking the basic elements for survival is something that no one can like, due to the anguish and suffering that this entails.

In the five continents of the terrestrial globe, many millions of human beings are forced to live in subhuman conditions.  They suffer from hunger and other tribulations, which, in turn, proliferate the development of diseases and other health problems.  With respect to the latter, it is convenient to mention the fact that they are largely due to the practice of bad habits, above all in nutrition, which is a determining factor in the state of one’s health.  Although in conditions of misery or extreme poverty people’s reactions are unpredictable, their inconvenience and great contribution to crime and other known ailments is indisputable.

The examination of these problems allows for the arrival, on a slightly higher level, at an important conclusion: in our country, the development of processes of reflection, conscientization and communication is much too deficient and, therefore, there is much left to do with respect to it.