The Falcondo and Brugal Foundations Confirm Commitment to Strengthen National Education

In a panel discussion on education and corporate social responsibility during the 2008 Conference of Virtual Educa at FUNGLODE Headquarters in Santo Domingo, the Falcondo and Brugal Foundations confirmed their commitment to provide support to Dominican educational institutions.

 

Executive Directors, Lizzie Sánchez of the Brugal Foundation and Arelys Rodríguez of the Falcondo Foundation, discussed
the ways in which private sector institutions can aid in improving the national educational system.

 

Falcondo Foundation’s Contribution
Over the course of 18 years, the Falcondo Foundation has developed an extensive record of supporting the country’s school system. Among the contributions to date, the foundation has supported 129 public schools in the province of
Monseñor Nouel, benefiting more than 78,000 students.

 

Rodríguez referred to these achievements and the far reaching effects of the educational projects that have been developed. She added that the program, in which 2,000 teachers from the sponsored schools participate, has become considered as a model for private sector participation in public education by respected organizations such as the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB) and the

Agency for Inter-American Development (AID).

 

Through Falcondo’s programs, school buildings are improved, teachers are trained in new ways to educate and motivate their students, and students are provided access to programs designed to enhance their educational experiences. The training program for teachers includes courses and excursions as well as scholarships to
carry-out masters and doctorate programs. The three-year teacher training program currently underway provides professionals with the skills and motivation necessary to put in place the transformational educational changes that the country requires.

 

The foundation started with one school and grew until it recently reached a total of 129 schools. Of these, 1 is in Haina, 53 are in La Vega, 7 are in Jarabacoa, 6 are in Constanza, and
another 73 are located in the Municipality of Bonao and its surrounding villages.

 

The main objectives of the Falcondo Foundation’s School Sponsorship Program are to: improve the quality of education; increase educational outreach and student academic achievement; reduce drop-out rates and the number of older children left behind as their age groups advance; and instill the importance of civic responsibility and participation
amongst students.

 

Additionally, the foundation strives to involve parents in school activities in an effort to promote initiatives geared toward increasing

school self-sufficiency. As part of its overall goal to encourage educational reform at the primary school level, it also seeks to develop effective models of private sector participation in education.

 

The Brugal Foundation’s Renewed Commitment
Lizzie Sánchez emphasized the Brugal Foundation’s renewed commitment to education through the programs it develops and the support it provides to institutions that promote training and knowledge development among students of all different levels and areas of study.

 

She assured everyone that the new company
stakeholders are interested in continuing the projects with renewed enthusiasm.

The two largest programs of the foundation include the Brugal Believes in People Awards, which have been in existence for 17 years, and the Education and Research Fund, which was instituted 3 years ago.

 

The Brugal Believes in People Awards recognizes excellence in areas such as: education, art and cultu