Frontera NorteSur October 2000

Families in the Northern Chihuahua and the city of Juárez have new tools to help them cover the expenses involved with education through 560 scholarships offered by the Northern Zone Education Coordinator (Coordinadora de Educación Zona Norte) and the "See Well to Learn Better" programs.

It is estimated that 30,000 school age children in Juárez suffer from vision problems.  That is why a fund for the "See Well to Learn Better" program will be doubled in an effort to supply 4,500 pairs of eyeglasses to children this semester.  Statistics show that 2.7% of students who transition from elementary to middle school require glasses.  The effort to distribute the glasses will take place from September 4th until December 15th at the State Government Social Development offices. The glasses are given to students without cost to their families.

Also, 560 scholarships will be awarded to students with financial need and students with outstanding academic performance.  The scholarships will be awarded in the form of school supplies, instructional material, uniforms, and/or cash.  A commission will be formed within each school district that would be in charge of the selection process.  The scholarships are intended to support elementary and secondary education.  The scholarship values will vary depending on the needs of the student which will be determined by an analysis of the financial status of the students family.  The minimum value is that of 500 pesos monthly. According to Abelardo Loya Peña of the Northern Zone Education Coordinator's office the scholarships will be a major economic support to families as well as encouragement to students to further their education.

Mexico to Educate its Citizens in California Prisons

This week the Mexican government will begin a series of classes for Mexican citizens incarcerated in California prisons, according to José Campillo García, Mexican consul to Sacramento, CA. The program will first take place in eight northern prisons and will then be evaluated before it is expanded and taken to other facilities. The classes are through the National Institute of Adult Education (Instituto Nacional de Educación para Adultos, INEA) and the Centro Cultural Mexicano de Sacramento. These two groups will train bilingual Corrections Department employees who previously showed interest in the Mexican government's plan.

The pilot program will begin with primary and secondary education. Prisoners will decide for themselves if they wish to participate in the classes. Campillo stated that the Corrections Department is in favor of the program because studying means good behavior that leads to reduced sentences. Mexico favors the program because it allows for its citizens to complete their educations and more easily reintegrate themselves into society after they have completed their prison terms.

Thirty-three Tele High Schools Back On Line in Sonora & BC

Educational authorities in Sonora and Baja California report that 33 tele high schools are now functioning again after the failure of the Mexican satellite Solidaridad I.

Twelve of Baja California's sixteen satellite schools were unable to continue with programming after Solidaridad I lost power. The satellite schools went back on-line starting on September 5 when a brigade of technical workers went from school to school redirecting satellite dishes. Four schools were unaffected by the satellite's demise because they had newer equipment.

Education officials also stated that during the time the schools could not receive satellite transmissions, students were taught out of books by the schools' tutors.

Tijuana City-Sponsored Daycare Centers Aid 1,200 Daily

Over 1,200 children are served by 43 daycare centers through the Tijuana Family Development Program (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, DIF).

At the grand openings of three of these centers, Tijuana Mayor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid said that the centers offer children proper care, early mental stimulation, age-appropriate education, and nutritious meals. Also present was local DIF director Hector Rivera.

The three new daily centers will serve 120 children that reside in different neighborhoods. The construction of the centers was made possible because of government investments of 60,000 pesos (slightly over US$6,000) and citizen participation.