Authorities and professionals from the Student Counseling Departments (DECE) of districts 01D01 and 01D02 in Cuenca took part in a meeting aimed at strengthening the knowledge and skills of educational teams. The purpose was to ensure the well-being of children and adolescents in public and semi-public schools in the canton.
Marcela Villavicencio, coordinator of Education Zonal 6, emphasized: “the importance of addressing issues directly related to educational equity, preventing situations that threaten the integrity of students, and strengthening school participation through tools that promote inclusive and shared educational management, such as COLMENA.”
María Isabel Pinos, director of the University Welfare Department at Mi UDA, introduced the “Becas Equidad” program from Universidad del Azuay. This initiative aims to make higher education more accessible for students by prioritizing inclusion and social justice.
Cristian Moreno, a representative from the Ministry of Public Health, discussed strategies for preventing self-harming behaviors and suicide among children and adolescents. He highlighted “the importance of coordinated work between education and health sectors for timely detection and comprehensive support within the educational community.”
The session concluded with an explanation by zonal education advisor Norma Alvarado about COLMENA. This tool is an initiative from the Ministry of Education, Sport, and Culture (MINEDEC) designed to increase community involvement in school management while promoting safe learning environments.
According to organizers, “the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, within its responsibilities and public policies, promotes inter-institutional actions aimed at preventing psychosocial risks, ensuring equitable access to education, encouraging community participation, and providing comprehensive support for the educational community,” reaffirming its commitment to inclusive education focused on student well-being.
