According to a study, 84% of teachers say that students forget or lose skills, knowledge, or grade-level equivalence during the summer, and they requested about 22% of the school year to renew material and skills that students lost during those summer months, despite understanding that summer should be viewed as cumulative. Consequently, by the end of sixth grade, the "summer gap" causes students to be, on average, two years behind students from private schools.Additionally, multigrade schools often face the limitation that subjects such as Arts, Computing, and Physical Education are not taught frequently.
According to the market study conducted by Waved and UNESCO in Panama last year, which included the participation of over 250 national and international professionals, the most valued competencies by companies when hiring a young professional between the ages of 18 and 25 are responsibility, the ability to work in teams, and proactivity. The importance of the English language was also emphasized.
Despite being surrounded by oceans, we live in a world disconnected from the oceans. Approximately 300 million people do not have access to the ocean within 5 minutes of their home, and this is solely due to their inability to swim. This also limits their understanding of its importance and the skills necessary to protect and enjoy the oceans sustainably (Unicef, 2023).
'You cannot love or protect what you do not know.'
Waved involves various stakeholders, such as the private sector, civil society, other nonprofit organizations, local and international individuals, as well as national and local government. This not only fosters sustainability by integrating responsible practices among various actors but also improves access to labor to maximize impact and promote collaboration among key stakeholders.
In direct response to the background, the sustainable, complementary school, Zona Waved (inspired by 'being in the zone', meaning being focused and concentrated), is used as a primary tool to empower and measure the physical, social and cognitive skills of 6-14 year old students from coastal communities in the interior of Panama.
Located on Isla Cañas, Los Santos Province, a wildlife refuge, it is built with 44% recycled plastic, and is the first of many schools we plan to build in Panama and Latin America.
To achieve our vision, we offer the following three complementary programs for more than 76 Waved scholarship students:
Ocean Safety Course pioneer in Panama. With the objective of inspiring and educating the next generations through environmental education, combining physical activity with exercises to support mental health. The course is divided into eight sessions, one each week, where the following content will be addressed:
Surfing is more than a sport; it is a powerful educational tool. Beyond promoting physical activity and raising awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, surfing includes fundamental values and teaches life lessons. In each session, we promote our core values: discipline, respect for the environment, and self-confidence, turning it into a complete and enriching educational:
Supplemental English and reading comprehension classes are essential for students' cognitive and personal growth. This program gives them the opportunity to improve their language and comprehension skills, thus laying the foundation for a stronger academic and professional future. In addition, the participation of volunteers as assistants in these classes not only provides additional valuable support, but also enriches the educational experience by providing more personalized attention.
Investing in the education of these young people with the help of committed volunteers not only equips them with the tools for individual success, but also strengthens the social and economic fabric of the community as a whole.
Pensando en las mejoras continuas de cada estudiante, durante todo el año se realizan evaluaciones regulares en cada uno de los programas:
- Nivel técnico de surf
- Desempeño de valores, incluyendo la participación
- Conocimiento de inglés
- Nivel de lectura comprensiva
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