LEARNING ABOUT MEXICO: EDUCATION
Living the most part of 12 years in Mexico, on the shores of Lake Chapala in Jalisco, particularly Ajijic, Don and I have learned much about this large and diverse country both in size, topography, population and now education.
As a result of some of our clients' needs, we have delved into the education sector in our area. One client's son attends Terra Nova, a bi-lingual school started in 2006 in west Ajijic. The school has grown steadily and now has about 350 happy students from kindergarten to high school.
What strikes us abaout this school is there mission, which is adapted in North American schools would greatly enhance the youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow; the school motto?
"In all things to love and serve"
"What should we do?" to get the world economy back on track is a question on every one's mind today.
IN the school's newsletter "Informa Nova", to the parents,July, 2009 the Terra Nova principal writes:
"There is no doubt that the answer is education".
"The answer is to educate outselves in order to educate others."
"The answer is to channel our energy and focus our priorities as parents, teachers, government and the media on the eradication of ignorance, laziness, irresponsibility and apathy, all of which deprive us of our freedom".
"The answer is to educate relying upon our guidance, our extent that we have regulated matters of the spirit to flashes of worry, obscurity and disillutionment. In Terra Nova we accept this reponsibility as our own, and invite you to continue to give our children this invaluable legacy of integral human development, an education in the most profound sense of the word. Together we will accomplish this goal."
Wow!! What a mission and what a goal!!
Don and I have visited the school a number of times and see growth and changes each time. What strikes us most is the happy sounds of the children as they go about their studies, sports and extracurricular activities.
We encourage you to visit the school and support their fund raisers. http://www.institutoterranova.org.mx
Friday evening we attended the First Fashion Show (Primer Desfile de Modas) of the Chapala Instituto Tecnolgico Superior (ITS Chapala) located on the Libramiento. We have watched with interest as the campus has grownm with the auditorium being the last building constructed. When we learned that the fashion show was to be held there we quickly bought tickets so that we could see the facility (thinking that the fashions were designed by the students). We soon found out that the show was to celebrate and thank those who have had a hand in making the school a reality.
In the opening speaches we learned that the majority of students are from small communities around the lake who do not have the financial means to attend such schools in Guadalajara. A number of students have graduated and secured good paying jobs in the field of technology. Some then contribute to the family income. Others are taught how to capitalize on their ideas through marketing and business basics to enjoy business ownership.
We were so excited to hear about the programs that we are planning a tour of the whole campus so that we can spread the word about the opportunities offered to the young people of Lake Chapala. http://www.itschapala.com/nuestraits.php.
We feel that Mexico has the right idea. Educate the young. They are the future of tomorrow. To learn more about Mexico's place in the world we bought "Geo-Mexico; The Geography and Dynamics of Modern Mexico" , a fine book recently released by Tony Burton and Richard Rhoda. The contents will surprise you.