How Shoulder to Shoulder and Francisco Morazán National Pedagogical University Are Transforming Learning with Kolibri
Digital education in Honduras is yielding more results every day thanks to the impact of the Kolibri Project, a leader in free, offline digital education. By solving the challenge of disconnected communities, it has caught the attention of the Francisco Morazán National Pedagogical University (UPNFM), the leading institution in Honduras for teacher training and certification.
In 2024, UPNFM and Shoulder to Shoulder initiated conversations to collaborate in advancing Honduran education. As an institution deeply committed to the future of our children, we believe in their potential and know that all they need is an opportunity to shine. In alignment with this vision, we have installed a Kolibri server at UPNFM to expand access to quality education.
After several crucial meetings with UPNFM’s coordinator, Ipólito Zúniga, we have mapped out a clear path for 2025. We met with the university’s faculty to introduce them to the platform’s benefits and the impact it is already having on Honduran education. Their enthusiasm to learn about the platform and contribute to its growth was truly inspiring. As a result, we established an agreement in which graduating teachers from the university will carry out their professional internships focused on leveraging digital resources in educational centers—giving thousands of students the opportunity to improve their academic performance through this transformative technology.
Beyond improving academic indicators such as enrollment, retention, and promotion rates in Intibucá, educators are also excited about using the platform for their own professional development. We have identified a vast library of content that will enhance knowledge creation and significantly improve teaching and learning experiences at all levels.
Additionally, social and scientific research related to culture, citizenship, national identity, gender equity, and human rights—managed and developed by the university—will be integrated into Kolibri. This will enrich the curriculum and extend this knowledge to students across the country, generating greater opportunities for them to improve their lives through comprehensive education.
This revolutionary concept drives us to keep pushing forward, working together for those who need it most. This year, dozens of university educators are being trained to adopt the Kolibri platform, master its instructional methods, and plan their professional internships—bringing this project’s impact to thousands of students.
Another inspiring initiative that has sparked great enthusiasm among UPNFM’s faculty and students is our reading program. Educators are eager to promote this initiative in their classrooms, helping children enhance their academic performance, critical thinking, leadership, self-esteem, and confidence. Reading, comprehension, and critical thinking are lifelong tools that empower individuals to explore, learn, and seize life-changing opportunities.
This partnership with UPNFM marks a historic milestone for education in Honduras, as it integrates technology-based educational resources into teacher training, reshaping teaching and learning paradigms. Through the Kolibri platform, we are leveling the playing field in access to information, bringing high-quality education further than ever before—free of charge and completely offline.
