THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE EDUCATIONAL QUALITY

Abstract

This analysis examines educational conditions in rural areas of Colombia, with a particular focus on multigrade classrooms and the implementation of the Escuela Nueva model. Despite its international recognition as an innovative approach to education in rural contexts, the application of this model in Colombia has faced significant challenges. Teachers in rural areas, who are responsible for providing education in multigrade classrooms, encounter multiple limitations, including a lack of resources, inadequate infrastructure, and limited institutional support. Consequently, the objective has been set to analyze the challenges of rural education in Colombia, with a specific focus on multigrade classrooms and their impact on educational quality, as these factors not only affect educational quality but also reflect in the low results of rural students in ICFES standardized tests (CER-Centro de Estudios Regionales, 2024). On the other hand, findings indicate that socioeconomic inequity and the digital divide exacerbate difficulties in accessing quality education, perpetuating inequalities between rural and urban areas. Although proposed flexible educational models, such as Escuela Nueva, offer a viable alternative, their success depends on careful adaptation to rural realities, along with investment in teacher training, resources, and technology. The study concludes that it is essential for educational policies in Colombia to adopt a comprehensive approach that not only incorporates innovative educational models but also addresses the structural and contextual deficiencies that limit their effectiveness. Only with a firm and sustained commitment to improving educational conditions in rural areas can progress be made toward equitable and high-quality education for all students