The agreement between the Itaipu Binational Executive Coordination Directorate and the Fe y Alegría Association, through which education is provided to the students of the Barrio San Francisco Technical College, was extended for another five months. The contribution provided, from social funds, exceeds G. 1,868 million and will benefit a total of 355 students.
According to those responsible for the project, this budget increase will allow the continuing education of 110 young people and adults who attend literacy programs. In addition, it will pay for the education of 45 students who attend the Higher Technical Institute in the specialties of Computer Science, Industrial Clothing and Electricity until the end of the school year.
The engineer María Cristina Florentín, manager of the agreement for Itaipu, said that this amount includes items for the payment of personnel; acquisition of furniture and fixtures; and other operating expenses. She explained that the execution period of the aforementioned project is extended to 46 months. It has been in force since 2019 and, with this new remittance, the Entity’s total contribution amounts to G 15,197 million.
The request for extension and increase of the contribution was at the request of Sr. Nancy Raquel Fretes, ODN (Company of Mary Our Lady), national director of Fe y Alegría. In her note to the Binational, the director mentioned that the transfer of management and financing with the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) is in process for the continuity of the operation of the school, already during 2023.
He explained that the institution offers technical high school education in the specialties of Computer Science, with an emphasis on robotics; Electricity, with an emphasis on home automation; and Industrial Clothing. From a STEAM approach (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) classes are also offered in Secondary Education for people over 18 years of age who wish to finish their training.
In addition, the school has a differentiated plan that includes the subjects Education for the Arts with theater, dance, and radio communication; and music, which features the San Francisco Technical College Symphony Orchestra. Training for work is also offered; Spirituality and Social Leadership; Technological Innovations (Computer Science and Electricity) and Artisanal Embroidery (industrial clothing), respectively. The aforementioned complex was built with financing from the Binational to provide a housing solution for 1,000 families on the banks of the Paraguay River.
