Abstract:

The Self-Sustainable School of Fundacion Paraguaya is an innovative model in response to Paraguay's educational and socioeconomic challenges. Based on the "learn by doing, selling and earning" methodology, this educational model seeks to transform traditional education by integrating practical learning with developing business and financial skills in young people from low-income families. In this abstract, the operation of the Self-Sustainable School, its impact on the Paraguayan community, and its relevance in the global context of education and development will be examined in depth.

During the educational crisis in the early 2000's, Fundación Paraguaya created a disruptive educational model 21 years ago that does not receive any type of state subsidy to be the solution to several of the factors above, providing opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship to empower young people and then they can strengthen the family economy.

The students and teachers run a series of on-campus educational, productive, and commercial businesses and sell goods and services to the local market. These school businesses, which cover a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, hospitality services, restaurants, and production of goods and services, are managed by the teachers and students, who assume leadership roles, make business decisions, and manage finances. Meanwhile, these school businesses generate income by selling the goods and services they produce in the local market, allowing the school to cover all its operating costs.

As a result, schools following the Self-Sustainable School model can educate low-income youth without relying on scarce and inadequate government subsidies, long-term donor funding, or costly high tuition fees that would exclude the youth we seek to serve. Additionally, through work in school businesses, students develop soft skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication, complementing their academic learning with invaluable practical experience. By empowering students with business and financial skills, the school provides them with opportunities for self-employment and income generation and fosters autonomy and self-esteem.

The Self-Sustainable School model has gained national and international recognition for its innovative approach and tangible results. Fundacion Paraguaya has three schools running this model, producing over 1,600 graduates. In an online survey of graduates, Fundacion Paraguaya found that 100% of graduates had been working and/or studying after four months of graduation. Additionally, more schools are adopting the Self-Sustainable School model in Paraguay, Tanzania, and El Salvador.

In a global context where education faces constant challenges to adapt to the changing needs of the 21st century, the Self-Sufficient School model offers valuable lessons. Its focus on experiential learning, student autonomy, and community connection is an inspiring example of how education can be transformed to prepare future generations to meet the challenges of the modern world.

Keywords:

Pedagogical Innovations, Vocational Training, Entrepreneurship Education.