"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.", said Nelson Mandela once standing in Madison Park High School on June 23, 1990. This sentiment has been the guiding force behind our almost two decades of dedication to empowering individuals through quality education initiatives.
Through Fundación Jala -a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by the Jala Group to carry on social responsibility projects- Jalasoft has been offering education opportunities to young people who are interested in working in the software development industry. These opportunities included hands-on training and plunging them into real-world projects with experienced teams.
JaqueMate, a flagship initiative from Fundación Jala, born in 2015 that lasted six years, worked mainly on a high-school level. The program directed efforts to close the academic achievement gap regarding technical learning between private and public schools by piloting innovative teaching methods and platforms, its main goal being to help Bolivian education by promoting and strengthening logic and reasoning driven learning.
The overall results demonstrated that gaps in school-level education could be rapidly closed, and teachers could reach much greater heights by harnessing new technologies.
This program also revealed that young people's interest in science and technology is directly related to their knowledge and familiarity with technical subjects. Upon completion of the program, a significant increase in the intention of young people to enroll in STEM careers (science, technology, Engineering, Mathematics) was verified, and the gender gap in interest in such careers also decreased.
JaqueMate Program: A Collaborative Endeavor
The JaqueMate program received substantial support from the Inter-American Development Bank Lab (IDB) in 2018 to improve the school-university-work transition for many more young people across Bolivia.
With the help of the IBD Lab, the program leveraged the Khan Academy educational platform, with the goal to expand its reach. The platform is a notable online learning website created in 2006, by Salman Khan, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. With a mission to "provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere," Khan Academy aligns with the program's objective to enhance education accessibility and quality.
Another of the initiatives that became possible because of that collaboration was the complimentary workshops for the teaching staff, administrative staff, and student community, which were added to the project: Socioemotional Skills and Technological Awareness. The latter included intensive sessions that taught the use of virtual education tools.
Achievements and Milestones
By the first four years of its foundation, the program had already reached more than 40 schools and granted more than 400 scholarships for extra training through Fundación Jala to outstanding students.
By 2019 the foundation had expanded its collaboration to 87 schools nationwide, impacting 21,889 students' lives. The program not only focused on academic advancements but also contributed to students' digital literacy by providing basic and advanced digital tools training to 1638 and 1161 students, respectively.
To date, the project engaged 117 schools, enhanced the training of 369 teachers, and fostered learning in 26,278 students.
Throughout the program's duration, continuous assessment studies highlighted a consistent enhancement in students' skills. The approach, prioritizing reasoning over rote memorization, led to notably superior academic performances in mathematics. External specialists conducted a comparative evaluation between participants and non-participants, validating the efficacy of the method.
JaqueMate's commitment to inclusivity was evident in its emphasis on promoting female participation. Hosting 48 events explicitly designed to challenge stereotypes and encourage women to pursue technical careers, the program aimed at fostering gender diversity in the tech industry.
The positive reception of the program was evident, with 82% of parents, teachers, school principals, and students involved attesting to its benefits. Post-completion, it was gratifying to learn that a substantial number of schools, at least 38, opted to independently continue and replicate the experience.
Conclusion
Jalasoft believes in the profound impact of knowledge in shaping the future of individuals and communities. By actively engaging in educational programs and initiatives, Fundación Jala seeks to empower individuals with the skills and insights needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. This, in turn, contributes to the development of a robust economy of knowledge where intellectual capital becomes a primary driver of regional growth.
Fundación Jala seeks to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. This, in turn, contributes to the development of a robust knowledge economy where intellectual capital becomes the primary driver of regional growth.
Jalasoft's commitment to education in technology in Latin America has proved to be valuable for the development of the region. Through initiatives like the Jaque Mate program and the overall actions of Fundación Jala, Jalasoft stands by the transformative power of education, particularly in technology. The company's efforts have not only narrowed educational disparities but also equipped students with the skills needed to thrive in the digital era.
Knowledge-driven economies are characterized by innovation, adaptability, and a skilled workforce. By investing in education, Jalasoft envisions a future where Latin America becomes a hub of technological excellence, and individuals are equipped with the expertise to contribute to and shape the future. This commitment goes beyond business; it is a strategic initiative to uplift communities, drive societal progress, and contribute to the emergence of a knowledge-driven Latin America.
