UNESCO and Santillana extend their collaboration on educational issues

The Regional Office of Education for Latin America and the Caribbean (OREALC / UNESCO Santiago) and Santillana have decided to extend their collaboration, dating from 2011, with the signing of a new agreement on January 19 in Santiago de Chile. The agreement includes coordination on educational issues involving technical assistance and the organizing of events in the region.

The agreement, signed by Jorge Sequeira, Director of OREALC / UNESCO Santiago and Mariano Jabonero, director of Institutional Relations at Santillana, covers joint initiatives, such as the possible extension of educational awards that foster reading and education. The agreement also involves the participation of Santillana in international events for the dissemination of educational projects, especially those related to teachers and education quality.

Also covered by the agreement is a commitment by UNESCO to provide technical assistance and to evaluate Santillana’s education system, Sistema UNO. This innovative educational program in English and Spanish promotes educational modernization, through the integrated design and implementation of content, both print and digital, for the academic curriculum at preschool and primary level. It provides digital material for all subjects specially designed for classroom work, teacher training, improving school management, assessment and assistance to families.

In an initial phase, UNESCO will analyze all documentary and technical information provided by Sistema UNO. The second phase will involve visits to schools that work with this system. The assessment process will include the participation of UNESCO experts at two teachers’ congresses in the Dominican Republic and Mexico where Sistema UNO will be discussed. Subsequently, in late 2012, UNESCO will present a series of recommendations for the Santillana platform in line with issues promoted by UNESCO, such as gender, inclusion in education, teachers and education quality.