Escuela Fermín Emilio Montoya

Located in the Municipality of Guarne, Antioquia, Colombia, Escuela Fermín Emilio Montoya is one of five campuses that make up the Rural Educational Institution Chaparral. This small, rural school serves students from preschool through fifth grade and operates from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm daily. Under the leadership of Principal Omar Javier Zuluaga Aristizábal and Primary Director Luz Adiela Pelaez Álvarez, the school is guided by dedicated teachers, Alba Lilliana Serna Agudelo (Grades 1-3) and Margarita Botero Moldon, (Grades Pre-K & 4-5) who work tirelessly to educate multi-grade classrooms. Guarne is a town and municipality in the Colombian department of Antioquia. In 2020, the population was estimated to be 52,129. It is part of the subregion of Eastern Antioquia. It is situated 24 km east of Medellín.

Escuela Fermín Emilio Montoya adopts the innovative Escuela Nueva (New School) model, a program renowned for transforming education in rural Colombia. This model emphasizes participative learning and enables students to progress at their own pace. It provides a flexible structure that accommodates the challenges faced by rural families, ensuring students can continue their education even after interruptions. Through a focus on community involvement, this approach creates a collaborative environment involving teachers, students, families, and policymakers.

Mission and Values
The school strives to provide holistic education, focusing on developing human values, basic skills across disciplines, citizenship, and vocational preparation. Guided by principles of inclusion and growth, it engages students in activities that nurture personal, familial, and community development.

Challenges
Like many rural schools in Colombia, Escuela Fermín Emilio Montoya faces significant obstacles, including limited funding and access to resources. These challenges reflect broader issues in Colombia’s education system, where economic disparities often hinder students from low-income families. Despite these difficulties, the school remains committed to its mission, working to overcome barriers and provide a brighter future for its students.