Visit to the Colegio Santa Rosa

First visit (21.07.14)

Report by Pat and Rick Blower
Unfortunately the children were absent from the school as they were on a mid-term
break. However, a meeting had been arranged to meet with the head, Maria
Elizabeth, and Mayra, one of the IT teachers.
Our discussions took place in the computer room; Martin took a recording of Maria
Elizabeths thoughts on the school and education.
Maria Elizabeth thanked the Santa Rosa Fund for their support in particular,
stressing the recognition of the unconditionality of the financial assistance
Current school numbers are:
Pre-school

130

Primary

409

Secondary

196

Adults
Total
Teaching staff number

30
735
27.

Pre and Primary school attend in the mornings and secondary in the afternoon.
On Saturdays, teachers from the Colegio Santa Rosa, attend in-service training to
support pupils with special needs. The emphasis is to provide more individual
attention to these particular students to avoid them having to repeat an academic
year. Some Saturday teaching is currently done to compensate for the education
missed whilst the schools were closed earlier this year because of a prolonged and
protracted period of earth tremors.
The school also opens its doors on a Sunday to facilitate classes to adults who
missed out on education in their youth.
The school continues, through a government scheme, to distribute beans, rice, corn,
cereal and oil to the pre-school and primary children for their families.
Mayra then showed us the computer equipment. All five computers are in working
order. There are two relatively new flat screens and of the three older screens; some
have cracks on their exterior casings and will need to be replaced in the future.
There are also two printers in use. For internet access, the school continues to rely
upon the dongles.

We asked Maria Elizabeth if the Education Ministry had plans to extend an internet
network for the schools. It appears the ministry is in the early stages of gradually
developing access to an integrated internet network system. Maria Elizabeth is
hopeful that in the future Colegio Santa Rosa will be able to participate in such a
scheme. Probably still a long way off.
The school continues to have the computers serviced on a three monthly basis.
The immediate priority for the school is the need for a television, DVD player and
chairs for the library. The previous television had fallen from the wall during tremors
last April. The current plastic chairs are cracked and damaged by flooding.
Much of the curriculum is on DVD watched on television in the library.
Trustees went along with Mayra to the electrical store, in a pickup truck, to purchase
a new television and DVD player. Then off to the market to buy 20 chairs.
Second visit (28.07.14)
Primary school children were all back at school following their break. We were taken
to the computer room where we met Mayra and Maricela, the IT teachers. Five
children in year 6 were receiving instruction in keyboard skills.

We then went outside and were led up the stairs of the stage for an Acto. The stage
now has a roof on it! There would be no avoiding the Acto, rain or shine.
The Acto was a traditional Nicaraguan dance; and some of the year 6 children read
out their individual thanks relating to the benefits that they are receiving from having
computers at the school.
Later met up with other members of staff and were shown the damage to the
bookcases in the library which occurred due to flooding.
A very positive visit strengthening our relationship and mutual understanding.