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ESTELÍ WOMEN'S SCHOOL - (CISCUM)

Directore Bertha Imelda Sanabria y clase

School Director Bertha Imelda Sanabria with a class
OBJECTIVES
The school's mission is to improve the socio-economic situation of women in Estelí and rural areas of northern Nicaragua through an integral education program, including academic studies, life-skills workshops, gender studies and health care. We do this by helping our students:
  • to achieve their baccalaureate quickly
  • to improve their job prospects
  • to pursue their studies to a higher technical or university level 

Our students come from poor families. Those in employment earn between US$40 and US$120 a month. The World Bank estimates that the basic basket of goods for a family of four currently costs over US$250 per month. Many of our students are single mothers. They are only able to take part in our program because it is subsidised by donations.

ORGANIZATION AND EXAMS

The school offers a three-year fast-track baccalaureate for adult students. Exams are held twice yearly aaround 20 women students studying on the women's only Saturday course in Ocotal and around 150 mixed students on the weekend courses.

The school still has the best results in the country for this adult baccalaureate program.

SOCIAL WORK: COUNSELING AND HEALTH CARE

In addition to the standard curriculum, CISCUM offers social education, including group discussions on topics such as self-esteem, domestic violence, family planning and preventive healthcare. Students are bused home at night free of charge to ensure their safety.

STAFF

Teachers at the school, depending on the hours they teach, receive the equivalent of US$175 per month. This salary level reflects the low-wage economy generally prevalent in Nicaragua. It is above the general salary level for secondary teachers in Nicaragua. The principal reason for this is to ensure strong morale and motivation anso as to generate a high-quality teaching environment for the students. Our faculty is as follows:

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