The most significant transformations in education are not always immediately visible. They require time, commitment, and the conviction that every effort made today will open new opportunities for future generations. This is precisely what the latest impact evaluation of the ERA Alliance (Rural Education in Antioquia) demonstrates—an initiative that, since 2017, has worked to strengthen rural education and create better opportunities for thousands of children and young people across the department.
The results show that this initiative is generating meaningful changes in students’ educational pathways. Today, 6 out of 10 students attending schools where the ERA model is implemented reach upper secondary education, compared with 4 out of 10 students in schools that are not part of the initiative. Beyond the numbers, this finding represents hundreds of children and young people who remain in the education system and have greater opportunities to build their future.
The evaluation also confirms that continuity and the sustained implementation of the model make a difference. In schools where the model has been in place for a longer period, students achieve better results on the Saber 11 examinations. These improvements demonstrate that impact grows when educational strategies are sustained over time and supported by the commitment of the entire school community.
But the results extend far beyond academic indicators. The evaluation shows that students take a more active role in their learning process, strengthen their participation, and develop a greater sense of shared responsibility for their education. In addition, Productive Pedagogical Projects foster environmental skills and entrepreneurial attitudes, while initiatives such as “La U en el Campo” expand access to higher education for young people in rural areas.
Each of these findings reaffirms a conviction that has guided the ERA Alliance since its inception: transforming rural education means creating the conditions for students to stay in school, receive a higher-quality education, and find new opportunities to build their future.
At Fundación Fraternidad Medellín, we welcome these results with great satisfaction because they reflect the outcome of a collective effort built alongside many partners, teachers, school leaders, families, and communities. They inspire us to continue strengthening this initiative and demonstrating that investing in rural education means believing in the talent, dreams, and potential of thousands of children and young people who are writing a different story for Antioquia.
