A group of happy students with a teacher, making sign language gestures in a classroom setting.

Education Equality Initiative Transforms Playa del Carmen

The organization 'Enseña por México' is actively working to reduce educational inequality in Playa del Carmen. Established in 2013, the association has been supporting education in various Mexican states by partnering with public schools.

Since 2022, 'Enseña por México' has been particularly active in Solidaridad, focusing on junior high schools and a Community Centre in Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen. Martha Álvarez, the Southeast regional manager of the association, explained that they collaborate with graduates from diverse fields who contribute their professional skills to the cause.

For two years, these professionals have been working in schools with the ultimate goal of eradicating educational inequality. They aim to facilitate learning both inside and outside the classroom, focusing on the development of socio-emotional skills and academic improvement.

"Puerto Aventuras is a community with a high migrant population, and we've encountered significant educational setbacks, particularly due to the pandemic. However, over time, the children have begun to regularize, attending schools," Álvarez said.

In their two years of operation in the county, the association has had the support of five professionals who have positively impacted approximately 490 students. These students have shown significant improvements in their learning.

Looking forward, the association already has professionals lined up for the new school year. They rely on donations to expand their reach to more communities, but for now, they will continue to support three junior high schools and the Community Centre.

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"The goal is that by 2025, we could extend our support to other communities in need. We are focused on enhancing students' socio-emotional academic skills," Álvarez stated.

She further explained that one of their key objectives for the new school year is to foster a sense of cultural belonging, promoting recognition of Mayan identity. To achieve this, they need to understand the students' characteristics well to adapt their educational strategies.

Álvarez added that they have noticed a positive change in the county. Initially, the dropout rate was high, but over time, they observed increased interest in regularization, a trend they attribute to family support.