Educación cultural y artística en básica media: el caso de Cuenca, Patrimonio de la Humanidad

Abstract

This study examines the role of Cultural and Artistic Education (ECA) in Ecuador, with a particular focus on heritage, culture, and identity, aligned with the national curriculum and UNESCO guidelines. The theoretical framework outlines the core content that should be addressed in classrooms and identifies the most appropriate educational stage for its instruction, highlighting the importance of specialized teacher involvement. The research, conducted in the city of Cuenca, uses a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews with various stakeholders in the educational and cultural sectors. Key variables analyzed include teacher training, the use of educational resources, and the promotion of culture within the school environment. The findings reveal that most teachers lack specialized training in ECA and have not received recent professional development in this area. Additionally, significant shortcomings were identified in public management and the dissemination of cultural heritage, underscoring the need to strengthen interinstitutional cooperation and improve teacher training to more effectively promote cultural education and heritage preservation in the school system.