La Escuelita - Jackson

The Guardaria has recently become the Escuelita and this has brought many changes, both good and bad, for the staff, children and parents.

For the staff this change has been stressful.  As an official school, the teachers need credentials.  This caused many of the teachers to be let go (because of lack of credentials) and replaced.  This also means that the day starts earlier and ends earlier to fit into the school laws in Guatemala.  They are also subject to monthly examinations from the superintendent.

For the   children the change has been almost all positive.  They are now only with Safe Passage. The staff can spot difficulties earlier and then provide support.  They have also had varying disciplinary expectations when at a school part-time then at Safe Passage part-time.  This was confusing to the children, so with one place disciplining them, they will be less confused.

For the parents, this is a mixed bag.  On one hand they only need to drop their children off in the morning then pick them up at night.  On the other hand, it now costs 15Q (about $2) a month to have a child in the Escuelita.  This has raised the expectations that the parents have for the Escuelita.