A Top-Notch School On Cali's East Side

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The Institution Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (INSA) was founded by six missionaries. According to the directors, this educa-tional project is on a level with any of the private schools in Call. "We believe that the answer to many of the problems in Colombia is education," says the Rector.

After teaching his class in Italian every Saturday, Carlos Arturo Guerrero enjoys a certain satisfaction in being able to share with others something he does to perfection: speak this Romance Language. For, in his turn, Carlos Arturo has not forgotten that it was at the Institution Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion that his aptitude for a second language developed. Thus today he has no doubt whatsoever in attributing his formation to this educational institution. "My intellectual formation," he explains, "is the product of the educative system of the Basilian Fathers, a system which not only transmits knowledge, but which also helps the student to find his or her vocation in life." Carlos Arturo, who is today the marketing supervisor in a hospital, relates how the Community gave him a scholarship for his studies from primary through high school.

INSA was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1992 as a centre for quality education for the children from the two lowest-income strata. The school is situated in the barrio, "Andres Sanin," and its purpose is to provide an excellent education for the boys and girls of the neighbouring barrios. In fact, one of the requirements of the school is that a child must be a resident of one of the barrios near the school. "Our objective is that those children from neighbouring barrios be those who benefit directly from our educative system," says Father Francisco Amico, rector of the institution. According to Father Amico, the curriculum which operates in this academic centre is in no way inferior to any private school. "The students are taught three languages: English, Italian, and French; and they receive basic courses in the fundamental areas of learning, as well, and formation in art," he adds. The teachers of technology and computer science have benefited from the pedagogical assistance of the Pedrahita Foundation which has donated technological support in computer sciences. The students themselves design the college website.

But the 640 students of this institution are not the only ones who form the educational system. The families of the students also play an important role. According to Luis Femando Hurtado, a member of the Parents Association of the school, the family must participate in the educative process of the child. "As parents," he says, "we must be involved in the activities of the students, for we recognize that the formation of our children begins in the home."

Registration and monthly fees which the family must pay are from 50.000 to 75.000 pesos (about $25 to $37 CDN). But this meets only about 40% of operating costs of the whole plant. The remaining expenses must be met by donations, foundations and enterprises. In addition, the parents and friends organize activities to raise funds. According to Mr Hurtado, from the beginning of the school there has been held a Christmas Festival, a gastronomic and cultural event, to cover, for example, the Christmas bonus of the teachers.

Colombia is the only Latin American country where the Basilian Fathers have introduced a formal educational center. "We believe," says Father Amico, "that the answer to many of the problems in Colombia lies in providing excellent education for its citizens."

This article was published in EL PAIS, the leading daily newspaper of Cali, on Thursday, 21 December 2006, complete with photo of students at work in the Art Centre of the school.