Relevant Formal Education focuses on developing the human talent needed for sustainable rural development. Amún Shéa is at the core of this focus, as a laboratory to develop tried and tested Problem-Based-Learning (PBL) methodology to transfer to the public school system.
PBL is a method in which students learn about a subject through the experience of solving a real-world problem, often one directly affecting their community. It promotes investigation, group work, creativity and at times interviews with local public officials and the general population. Vegetable growing, small animal husbandry, tape measures, tools, games, and other practical applications are employed in this method.
After eight years of program development, in the same conditions as the surrounding public schools, PEOF had the experience and track record to be able to offer an initial proposal to the Salvadoran Ministry of Education. In February of 2016, the Salvadoran government, through the Ministry of Education and PEOF signed the agreement “Amún Shéa Applications- Pilot for Pertinent Rural Education”. This 3 year pilot called for the identification and transfer of relevant practices from Amún Shéa to eight surrounding public schools and with a focus on building solutions for multi-grade classrooms.
The initial agreement has been renewed, and today PEOF reaches over 1000 students and 100 teachers in 16 public schools in the area.
There is much interest for the transfer of Amún Shéa methodology from other communities throughout El Salvador. Initial talks are currently taking place in this regard.