Martha Elena Perez is candidate 30 on the Conservative Senate List this Sunday. Her campaign is “educación es la solución”. We speak to her about her proposals.
Martha Elena is a university lecturer in Bogota known as La Profe. She might be on the Conservatives’ list, but Martha Elena is not part of the traditional political machinery, and is relying on a grassroots campaign on a key issue she not only believes is crucial for Colombia`s future, but of which she has a life time`s hands-on experience; education.
Softly spoken with a steely character, Martha Elena instantly charms with her beaming smile. She is polite but direct, not prone to the – how shall I put it? – pompous verbosity that characterises much of Colombia`s political class. You could say she is a breath of fresh air.
CP: Why did you choose education as the focus of your campaign?
MEP: Only education can correct the inequality in Colombia.
International and government tests have shown the current education system is worsening this inequality. The OECD ranked us a dishonourable 62nd of 65 countries in its latest PISA tests.
The OECD’s results show us there is a major difference in private and state school kids’ performance in reading, writing, science and maths. This gulf also exists between boy and girls.
We can’t allow education to continue to be stratified. We can`t have kids’ access to education decided on their social status.
CP: It’s a question of raising standards, then?
MEP: Yes, in Colombia education quality needs to be across the board – a high standard of education for all children, independent of their social class, their gender, what their parents do, and where they live.
CP: What about the recent news that some private institutions are charging students for sub-standard courses?
MEP: Both public and private education should offer quality and if those who run the business of private education are offering sub-standard education they’re ripping off parents. And if public education is bad, they`re ripping off all Colombians.
CP: So how do you improve quality?
MEP: We have to focus on the key players; the teachers.
We must attract, train and keep the best teachers. The social importance of their work needs to be recognised, and appropriately remunerated.
We have to look again at teaching methods focusing on creativity and an integrated and rounded education. We can’t continue teaching our kids with tactics from the last century.
CP: What about the cost of higher education in particular?
MEP: It’s essential we financially support those students who need it. We’re going to get back to what the ICETEX was designed to do – act as a development bank for students. At the moment it is charging interests on interests and using third party agencies to threaten and intimidate families. The ICETEX must go back to doing what it is good at.
CP: What role does education play in citizenship?
MEP: Education should help form values in our children. Values like respect, honesty and solidarity. We need urgently to work on citizenship. No citizen with knowledge is a prisoner of corrupt politicians and is empowered to defend freedom and democracy.
CP: That’s one of your campaign slogans?
MEP: Quite! We stand for an education that teaches us not to be subservient.
CP: Very necessary in a Colombia of “doctores y sumercedes”. Finally, tell me a bit about your campaign.
MEP: We’re not running a traditional political campaign. Politics should be about proposals and we’re focusing on a clear message, building a movement to lobby and campaign for education.
We’re involving students and young people inviting people to get involved through our hashtag #educacióneslasolución asking them to send in their photos in support.
It’s a grassroots campaign, the way politics should be. Check out our facebook page and join in.
CP: Thanks, and good luck on Sunday.
People always tell me there are no candidates worth voting for in Colombia’s congressional elections this Sunday. I think this is wrong. There are some excellent candidates with conviction, passion, and above all, proposals for Colombia`s future.
Yes, it’s easy to understand the scepticism and the disillusionment with Colombia’s political class. It’s time to look beyond the traditional families, the corrupt vote-buyers and the paramilitary financed ne’er-do-wells.
Of the thousands of candidates to the senate and the house of representatives we’ve decided to focus on one in particular to give a flavour of the future. We wish Martha Elena well, and hope to see her as a senator fighting for education.
Kevin Howlett
Kevin is a political consultant and lobbyist who cut his teeth working in the UK Parliament. He is a regular panelist on Colombian television, a political communication strategist and a university lecturer. Kevin is the founder and editor of Colombia Politics.