Worldfund Launches School Leadership Program in Mexico

November 2009 

We are thrilled to report that this summer Worldfund launched Mexico’s first ever post-graduate program to give public school principals the knowledge and skills to improve learning outcomes in their schools. In its first year the groundbreaking School Leadership Program (known as IFCE Mexico, Instituto de Formación para la Calidad Educativa) is serving 50 principals from Tlapa de Comonfort, Guerrero, one of the largest indigenous communities in Mexico, and 50 principals from Puerto de Veracruz, Veracruz.

The first component of the program — an intensive 50 hour summer intensive immersion workshop — took place in Taxco, Guerrero in August.   The second component of the program is a 10-month training course throughout the school year, delivered in weekly seminars from September to June.

The course covers the following learning modules: human development, the teaching-learning process, comprehensive teacher support, education quality, and school administration and management. In addition principals receive individual coaching in their own schools after each module. 

Worldfund would like to thank its partners on the ground:  The Guerrero state education officials are extremely committed to the project and have provided a significant amount of logistical support. Tenaris/Tamsa has provided valuable input to program content and funding for the program in its home state of Veracruz.  Our pedagogical partner is Excelduc, the Mexican non-profit on the forefront of school reform.

Due to the modular structure of the program the principals are able to put new skills and knowledge in practice immediately.  Early results of the program are extremely encouraging.