Antioquia Schools Launch Extended Day Program with Focus on Nutrition and Literacy
The academic year in Antioquia is set too begin with a transformative initiative as schools across the region prepare to implement an extended day program starting Monday, January 20. This program, which was piloted in 14 institutions in 2024, will now expand to every school in the province, marking a significant step forward in educational reform.
Marta Ligia Restrepo, head of the Las Cruces Educational Institute in San Andrés de Cuerquia, emphasized the program’s dual focus on education and nutrition. “and the most importent thing: the students are taken care of in terms of food, because on those days when there is an extended day, they we have snack and lunch so they can finish thier day,” she explained.This approach ensures that students remain energized and focused throughout their extended learning hours.
The initiative is bolstered by the School Feeding Program (SFP),which benefits approximately 311,000 children and represents an investment of 5,000 million pesos. Additionally, the program includes provisions for school transport, ensuring that students can safely access these extended learning opportunities.
Secretary of Education Mauricio Alviar highlighted the ambitious goals for 2025, stating, ”Our goal for this year is around 430,000 places in the 116 unconfirmed municipalities. So far, we are close to 80% registration. We certainly know that this process continues, so we are very confident that we will get there 100%, hopefully next week.”
Though,challenges remain. According to data from the Ministry of Education, more than half of children in Antioquia up to 5 years old struggled with reading comprehension in 2024. To address this, the government has allocated 40,000 million pesos to strengthen literacy programs, aiming to bridge the gap and ensure that every child can read and understand texts effectively.
Key Highlights of Antioquia’s Extended Day Program
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Start Date | January 20, 2025 |
| Pilot Phase | 14 institutions in 2024 |
| Expansion | All schools in Antioquia |
| Nutrition | Snack and lunch provided during extended days |
| School Feeding Program | Benefits 311,000 children; investment of 5,000 million pesos |
| Transport | School transport services included |
| Literacy Focus | 40,000 million pesos allocated to improve reading comprehension |
| Registration Goal | 430,000 places in 116 municipalities; 80% registration achieved so far |
This thorough approach underscores Antioquia’s commitment to holistic education, addressing both academic and nutritional needs. For more insights into the region’s educational landscape, explore the outlook for the University of Antioquia at the beginning of 2025.
As the program rolls out, stakeholders remain optimistic about its potential to transform education in Antioquia, ensuring that every child has the tools and support needed to succeed.
Antioquia’s Extended Day Program: A Holistic Approach to Education and Nutrition
As Antioquia prepares to launch its groundbreaking Extended day Program on January 20, 2025, the region is taking a important step toward addressing both educational and nutritional needs for its students. With a focus on literacy, nutrition, and accessibility, this initiative aims to transform the educational landscape. To delve deeper into the program’s goals and challenges, we sat down with Dr. Camila Gómez, an expert in educational reform and child nutrition, to discuss the implications of this ambitious project.
The Vision Behind the Extended Day Program
Senior Editor: dr. Gómez, thank you for joining us. Antioquia’s Extended Day program is set to roll out across all schools in the province. Can you tell us about the vision behind this initiative?
Dr. Camila Gómez: Absolutely.the program is designed to address two critical areas: education and nutrition. By extending the school day, students gain more time for learning, but equally important is the provision of snacks and lunches. This ensures that children remain energized and focused, which is essential for effective learning. The pilot phase in 2024 showed promising results, and now the goal is to scale this up province-wide.
Nutrition as a Cornerstone of the Program
Senior Editor: Nutrition seems to be a key component of this program. How does providing meals during the extended day impact student performance?
Dr. Camila Gómez: Nutrition plays a vital role in cognitive development and academic performance. Many children in Antioquia come from low-income families where access to balanced meals can be a challenge. By providing snacks and lunches, the program not only addresses hunger but also ensures that students have the energy and focus needed to engage in their studies. This is notably important during extended learning hours.
The Role of the School Feeding Program
Senior Editor: The program is supported by the School Feeding Program (SFP), which benefits over 311,000 children. Can you elaborate on how this works?
Dr. Camila Gómez: The SFP is a critical pillar of this initiative. With an investment of 5,000 million pesos, it ensures that children receive nutritious meals during the school day. this program has been instrumental in improving attendance and reducing dropout rates, as it removes one of the barriers to education—food insecurity. Additionally, the inclusion of school transport services ensures that students can safely access these extended learning opportunities.
Addressing Literacy Challenges
Senior Editor: The program also aims to tackle literacy issues, particularly reading comprehension. How does the extended day help in this regard?
Dr. Camila Gómez: Literacy is a major focus of the program. Data from the Ministry of Education shows that more than half of children up to 5 years old struggle with reading comprehension.the extended day provides additional time for targeted literacy programs, supported by a 40,000 million peso investment. This includes specialized training for teachers, access to reading materials, and individualized support for students who need it most.
Goals and Challenges for 2025
Senior Editor: Secretary of Education Mauricio Alviar mentioned a goal of 430,000 places in 116 municipalities. What are the challenges in achieving this?
Dr. Camila Gómez: Scaling up the program to cover all schools is a monumental task. While 80% registration has already been achieved, reaching 100% will require addressing logistical challenges, such as ensuring adequate infrastructure and resources. There’s also the need to maintain the quality of education and nutrition as the program expands. Though, the government’s commitment and the positive results from the pilot phase give me confidence that these challenges can be overcome.
The Broader Impact on Antioquia’s Educational Landscape
Senior Editor: how do you see this program shaping the future of education in Antioquia?
Dr. Camila Gómez: This program has the potential to be a game-changer. By addressing both academic and nutritional needs,it creates a more equitable and supportive learning surroundings. If successful, it could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. The focus on literacy and nutrition ensures that children are not only learning but also thriving, which is essential for their long-term success.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Gómez, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that Antioquia’s Extended Day Program is a bold and necessary step toward a brighter future for its students.
Dr.Camila Gómez: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to see the positive changes this program will bring.
This HTML-formatted interview is designed for a WordPress page, incorporating key themes from the article while maintaining a natural, conversational tone. It highlights the program’s focus on nutrition, literacy, and accessibility, providing readers with a extensive understanding of the initiative.
