USAID grant to Asociacion de Servicios Educativos y Culturales for adult literacy skills project

ASEC will reach more students in both Spanish and Indian language (Kekchi and Quiche) programs by, inter alia, upgrading broadcasting equipment, increasing the number of stations broadcasting, and training additional volunteer learning group leaders (Maestros Orientadores). ASEC will increase the enrollment in the Spanish program by 20% a year in areas where it is now operating and will also expand to new areas, reaching at least 10% more students in these. The two Indian language programs will each double their coverage during the second year of the grant (increasing the number of Kekchi students from 2,000 to 4,000, and of Quiche students from 150-300). The Quiche program will be brought up to the standard of the other two programs. Coverage in the region of El Peten, a large territory with a dispersed population and few roads, will increase by at least 30% through an agreement to be signed between ASEC and Radio Flores. In the province of Izabal where radio broadcasting is impossible, an experimental program of tape recorders and cassettes will be expanded to twice its present coverage. Sixth-grade primary education in Spanish will be broadcast in three areas, so that ASEC can begin to present the basic education program in Spanish in these areas. To these ends, ASEC will take several steps to expand and improve coverage, including: making broadcasting arrangements with regional and publically owned radio stations; upgrading the facilities of its lead station, Radio Internacional; recruiting and training additional Maestros Orientadores; and enhancing its capacity for producing both audio and printed learning materials. In addition, ASEC will computerize its student record system, upgrade the operations of its demonstration school, and expand its offices, and provide professional educational opportunities for its central staff.