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UNESCO Santiago and its LLECE Laboratory advise Panama on the implementation of the “ERCE Schools” pilot project on educational assessment

During the week of March 18, 2024, the team from UNESCO Santiago's LLECE Laboratory visited Panama City to participate in the implementation of the ERCE Schools pilot project in various educational centres. This assessment provides clear and precise information about the progress of students in their respective learning and contributes to teachers’ pedagogical strategies.
La UNESCO Santiago en su trabajo en Panamá

The visit consisted of several work sessions, attended by more than 200 teachers and management teams from schools in the Ngabe Nedrini CEBG Quebrada Guabo region, as well as from Cerro Iglesias, Hato Juli, CEBG Quebrada de Loro, and Cerro Brisa, among others. Strategic meetings were also held with school principals to learn about their local experiences and to identify emerging opportunities and challenges in the educational field.

Additionally, workshops were conducted on the use of data, review of educational materials—such as Modeling in Teaching Reading—and a dialogue was encouraged with Panamanian teaching staff to understand their perspective on the application of formative assessment tools and data management for learning.

These activities were led by the National Director of Educational Assessment of Panama, Gina Garcés, the general coordinator of the LLECE Laboratory at UNESCO Santiago, Carlos Henríquez, and educational consultant Cristina Araya. They highlighted the challenges of implementing the ERCE Schools pilot project as a way to contribute to the continuous improvement of learning and to obtain immediate results through this tool.

This mission reinforces UNESCO’s commitment to strengthening educational quality in the region and advancing the agenda of educational recovery and transformation, promoting strategies that contribute to the comprehensive development of school communities in Panama.