One of the main challenges we face at the Alma Foundation every two years is building a strong relationship with educational authorities, our institutional partners. In Bolivia, district and departmental education directorates, educational units, and ESFM (Higher Schools for Teacher Training) typically change leadership every two or three years, forcing us to restart the process of rapprochement, dialogue, and trust-building to coordinate joint work.
In Beni, this process has historically been simpler than in other regions. However, this year marked a significant difference. With the renewal of ESFM leadership, we had an open door from day one to sign our agreement and define a joint work schedule. We not only received openness, but also a level of commitment rarely seen: the general director, the academic director, and the IEPC-PEC coordinator actively participated, publicizing our training activities internally and highlighting our achievements at public events.
A clear example of this collaboration were the three training events for principals and teachers of the educational units hosting ESFM interns in the districts of Trinidad, San Ignacio de Moxos, and San Borja. These workshops, organized almost entirely by the ESFM itself—which was responsible for the convening, logistics, and dissemination—had a key objective: to prepare the schools that would host interns, explaining the pedagogical approach these students would apply and the importance of their work. This will not only avoid contradictions and resistance, but will also strengthen the sense of co-responsibility among all involved.
During the workshops, hearing these authorities publicly highlight the importance of the partnership with the Alma Foundation and recognizing our contribution as the only institution currently directly supporting ESFM’s pedagogical strengthening, filled us with pride and gratitude. Beyond the technical work, we feel that a relationship is being built based on trust and the shared conviction that education in Beni deserves all our efforts.
Finally, we want to say that this close support and backing from the three highest authorities of the ESFM have not only facilitated our work; also, despite having reduced our scope of work in Beni, it has allowed us to reposition ourselves in this department as an institution that directly and sustainably supports education. And this renewed confidence inspires us to continue innovating and reaffirming that, when wills align, educational changes are lasting.
By:
Leonel Saavedra Caceres
Coordination meeting with ESFM leadership
General Director and Academic Director of the ESFM “Clara Parada de Pinto”