Teacher Training for Literacy and Inclusive Education Programs in Santo Domingo

Project

Continuing the legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, we are promoting literacy and emotional support training for teachers and staff at the Centro Educativo Santo Niño Jesús (Fe y Alegría) in Batey Lechería.
Fe y Alegría Dominicana

Teacher Training for Literacy and Inclusive Education Programs in Santo Domingo

Continuing the legacy of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus, we are promoting literacy and emotional support training for teachers and staff at the Centro Educativo Santo Niño Jesús (Fe y Alegría) in Batey Lechería.
Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic
Location
Education
Areas of work
Active
Status

Context

In the Dominican Republic, a “batey” typically denotes a settlement near a sugarcane plantation, historically housing agricultural workers who are predominantly Haitian migrants. These areas often lack basic infrastructure, adequate living conditions, access to services, and labor rights.

On the outskirts of Santo Domingo, Batey Lechería is one of these marginalized communities. Many of the families in this neighborhood have worked in the sugar industry for generations, brought from Haiti as laborers. A significant portion of this Dominican population with Haitian roots lacks essential documents, like birth certificates and identity cards, hindering their access to fundamental rights such as education, healthcare, and formal employment. The Santo Niño Jesús Educational Center (Fe y Alegría) serves the Batey Lechería community. Nearly 80% of students at the school are of Haitian and Dominican Haitian descent and carry with them the challenges that have historically weighed down these “batey” communities.

Batey Lechería’s living conditions are also a concern for students at the Santo Niño Jesús Educational Center. Limited access to educational resources, unsuitable housing, economic constraints, and community instability all have devastating effects on the academic success of students. These conditions impede learning opportunities and are directly associated with lower student literacy rates. Within the batey context, Special Education Needs (SEN) are often overlooked due to the unique circumstances of this community. Scarce resources and adverse conditions create a scenario where students encounter additional obstacles, hindering the development of their language skills. 

Our Project

Together with Fe y Alegría Dominicana, this project aims to make a substantial impact by enhancing students’ literacy skills through comprehensive teacher training. This training focuses on creating an inclusive and equitable educational environment, guaranteeing personalized attention and support for all students. Additionally, by equipping guidance and psychology teams with the skills to address Special Education Needs (SEN), the institution’s capacity to cater to each student’s specific requirements will be significantly enhanced. This ensures a well-rounded and customized approach that acknowledges the diverse educational realities within the community.

The holistic strategy pursued by the project extends beyond the mere improvement of literacy skills. It is designed to ensure that every student receives the essential support to unlock their complete academic and personal potential. Through teacher training fostering inclusivity and specialized support teams addressing SEN, the project endeavors to create an educational environment where all students can thrive and succeed. The project has two specific areas of work:

Teacher training for literacy programs.

Through targeted pedagogical programs, the project seeks to empower educators with effective strategies applicable in the classroom. This is aimed at fostering a learning environment conducive to the development of literacy skills among students. The primary goal is to bolster teachers’ capacity to instill foundational skills, thereby contributing to robust academic progress.

Emotional support trainings for guidance and psychology teams.

This training is designed to equip professionals with the skills required to identify and offer appropriate support to students with distinct educational needs. By fortifying these teams, the objective is to establish a more inclusive and equitable educational environment. This ensures that all students, regardless of their individual needs, receive the necessary attention and support to thrive in their academic pursuits.

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