Clarín, March 2, 2008, Supplement Education. paper version: here.
COMMITMENT PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1999
Teachers donate part of their salary
for scholarships for university students
What does 90 percent of teachers, not teachers and authorities of the Universidad Nacional de Lanús . They also assist students. Ruben A.
Arribas
You voluntarily donate 1 percent of their salary for scholarships for a person with high academic achievement and whose economic situation warrant it?
At the University of Lanús (UNLa) already do since 1999. And be happy: "90 percent of teachers, not teachers and authorities, who give twice-bring to the program educational commitment. All of them pay payroll deduction, after giving their consent, "said Alicia Peire, University Welfare Director.
Of course, those who work on campus are not the only supportive. Many students help with fees 25, 10 and 5 pesos per month. Others do not buy these bonds, but they know that 50 percent of what they pay in the parking lot goes to his teammates. And what goes into the university by providing services to third parties, this reserve a percentage for aid. Also, the UNLa aside 1 percent of the budget for this fund. Result? 871 scholarship students in these 8 years with between 1,100 and 2,200 pesos annually.
addition solidarity approach, two aspects become even more special this program. The first is that a percentage of the money saved to help people in emergency situations (death of a family member, house fire and the like). The second is that students return the amount, or reentering the money when they finish the race, either in the form of tasks involving the learning college for them: assistantships in laboratories, administrative duties or workshops for materials that act as a bottleneck.
To evaluate candidates, we measure the academic performance and socioeconomic status, each weighted equally. "We did not record 10 students, but people who need this help to stay in college," says Peire. In other words, the aim is, above all, combat attrition.
"is that universities Argentina is at 18 percent, "says the director of Welfare UNLa. Although no reliable statistics because the college just 10 years old, Peire maintains daily contact with students and other data illustrates this why the risk of abandonment is high: "As in all conourbano, here the average age of students is high. In 1999 was 36 years, now 28. " And added to explain these figures: "This university began to come large people who had been unable to study because it was far from Buenos Aires." Hence, the profile shows specific grantees: "It is common for women with children have in charge and heads of household, for example. " That the problems affecting this population are others to expect from a student: "Domestic violence, unemployment, health or lack health coverage," lists the principal.
So in addition to financial aid offers UNLa humane containment. Each scholarship has a tutor in social work degree and works pro bono, which accompanies and makes academic guidance during the course. According Peire, "here are people who do not have a computer, do not buy the newspaper or do not have books at home ... When you enter college, you feel disoriented: they are too things that do not know. "
But in addition to the solidarity and restraint, a third factor explains the success of the program: those who provide that 1 percent of their salary, as Alejandro Herrero-CONICET researcher and professor at the UNLa-speak with pride your workplace. "Is that what you see, you see that there is transparency and to help people with you every day," he says. Perhaps that is the best way to encourage solidarity, practice transparency, good ideas, and people are already willing to help.
*
AN IDEA THAT STARTED FOR 15 TEACHERS
"The UNLa was launched between 1996 and 1998 and then the budget was tight. Shortly after beginning, we realized that free was not enough to retain students. Many teachers had studied in public universities, and wanted to give back to the community part of what we had, so a group of about 15 people we had an idea to contribute 1 percent of salary to provide scholarships to students. We tell others, they seemed good and we started, "says Alicia Peire.
AID TO STAY
The program began with 46 aid in 2000, and 2007 and reached 188. Of the recipients last year, 43 received 1,100 pesos and 145, 2,200. Under the legislation, the first are new enrollees who reached the 2 nd quarter, while the latter are regular students. The amounts are annual and are delivered in 10 installments.
More information: www.unla.edu.ar , 6322 9200 and becas@unla.edu.ar .
0 comments:
Post a Comment