The Politics of Transforming Education in Ecuador: Conforntation and Continuity, 2006-2017

Before 2006, the Ecuadorian education system faced multiple challenges, including low quality of teacher training.

The Plan Decenal de Educación was launched in 2006 and established eight key objectives to improve education.

Main Reforms Implemented

Teacher evaluations were simply implemented, which will be carried out every 4 years. 

Disengagement was allowed after two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations.

The starting salary of teachers was doubled, improving the status of the profession. 

                                       The Síprofe program(2008-2012) offered                                     training to almost 300,000                                                                    teachers.

The INEVAL was founded in 2012.

INEVAL led the evaluations of students and teachers nationwide.

The SerMaestro program was introduced in 2016 and assessed teachers across four dimensions:

Disciplinary knowledge

Pedagogical Skills

Socio-emotional Skills

Professional Leadership

Correa played a central role in presenting education as the axis of his "Revolución Ciudadana"

The UNE organized protests and claimed that the evaluations were punitive and politically motivated.

In 2016, the Ministry of Education legally dissolved UNNE due to administrative and legal non-compliance.

Left vs. Right Wings-Key differences

Role of the State

Economic Focus

LEFTISTS

Strong role in economy and social programs.

RIGHTISTS

Limited role; prefers private sector.

LEFTISTS

Equality, wealth redistribution.

RIGHTISTS

Growth, free market, individual success.

SOCIAL POLICY

PUBLIC SERVICES

May support privatization or cost-sharing.

LEFTISTS

Supports free education and healthcare.

LEFTISTS

Progressive (supports social change).

RIGHTISTS

Conservative (supports tradition).

The Law of Public Instruction of 1897 in the Transformation of Ecuadorian Society Toward Secular Education

Since the colonial era, the Catholic Church has enjoyed great influence and power in almost every aspect of people's lives.

People were forced to obey each of the orders imposed because they were considered divine commands.

Conservative and liberal ideologies appeared.

Education was expanded to women and marginalized groups.

 Normal schools were created to train teachers.

Eloy Alfaro introduced free, compulsory and secular education