Overview| Education Situation | Projects | Volunteers Needed | Project Needs
In Santa Cruz Island (the largest population base in the Galapagos), there are 15 schools to accommodate the approx. 2,060 students in primary school and the 1,725 students in secondary school (INEC 2010). The educational/supporting staff numbers 227 teachers, and additional volunteers and janitors. Although these schools have an extraordinary natural laboratory in their backyard, few schools have the resources to integrate the natural phenomena of the islands into their curricula.
Santa Cruz has a very young population; a 2010 publication by the National Statistics Institude described its demographics with a broad-based population pyramid, indicating a high proportion of children. By the numbers, approximately 40-45% of inhabitants are under the age of 20. The fertility rate hovers around 3 births per female, and there is a high rate of teenage pregnancy.
Like most, we believe that the children are the future of the Galapagos and become ambassadors of where they live. It is important to teach them about where they live so they can take charge in protecting it’s fragile ecosystem. Through some of our education programs we believe we can help teach the children about where they live by creating an ESL curriculum and continuously train the ESL teachers. Our green project, or the Green School Initiative, also helps students, parents and the local community to take charge of their surroundings and make changes.
Galapagos ICE also supports Municipal Government after school programs that keep children and adolecents busy and active that can in turn prevent so many unwanted situations, including teenage pregnancy, drugs and alcohol and obesity.
© 2011 Galapagos ICE (Immerse Connect Evolve). All Rights Reserved.
E-mail: info@galapagosice.org. Galapagos ICE is a US 501(c)(3) international charity
