In this series on how schools that follow Mother Candida’s educational approach are integrating the Global Education Pact into their educational mission, we have seen that the signed commitment is being transformed, school by school, into vibrant and concrete initiatives. We have already reflected together on the meaning of this journey on the occasion of World Catholic Education Day 2026.
Today we’re traveling to Colombia to learn about the work being done at the Reina de la Paz School, alongside Roger Pérez Nieto, principal; Belcy Jaimes Quintero, educator; and Liliana Marcela Martínez Herrera, quality management coordinator: a firm commitment to emotional education as the cornerstone of holistic transformation.
Emotional Education in Synergy with Our Own Way of Educating (NMPE): A Contribution to the Global Education Pact
The Global Education Pact promotes a transformation of education centered on the individual, human dignity, peace, and holistic development. In line with this approach, Reina de la Paz School embraces this commitment as part of its institutional identity, integrating emotional education into its Institutional Educational Plan (PEI) as a guiding principle for student well-being, in harmony with the Daughters of Jesus’ distinctive educational approach.
This approach aligns with the vision of shaping individuals of integrity through love, justice, and faith, understanding education as a process of guidance across all dimensions of the self. Thus, the school is conceived as a space where students take center stage, strengthen their identity, develop self-regulation, and build meaningful learning experiences while interacting with others.
Listening and Providing Support: The Answer to Emotional Needs
The Pact also calls on us to listen to the younger generations and address their emotional and social needs. The school responds to this call through a supportive and personalized education, recognizing that emotions influence learning, relationships, and decision-making. For this reason, it promotes the recognition, understanding, and regulation of emotions in an environment of respect and care.
Likewise, a culture of connection, coexistence, and peace is fostered through tools such as the “feelings board,” the “space to be with myself,” and “affection charts,” which facilitate emotional regulation, prevent conflicts, and strengthen assertive communication, while instilling values such as forgiveness and reconciliation.
Comprehensive Support: Psychology and Emotional First Aid
Similarly, comprehensive support is strengthened by the Psychology department and strategies such as Psychological First Aid, which address both academic and socio-emotional needs. Taken together, this project contributes to the students’ holistic development, fostering their commitment to the world today and motivating them to take on the challenge of transforming their environment and society in a positive way.
The Reina de la Paz School shows us that emotional education is not just an add-on to the curriculum, but the very heart of an education that seeks to transform individuals and society. We will continue to publish more projects in this series: real-life stories that show how the network of schools that follow Mother Cándida’s educational approach brings the Global Educational Pact to life, day by day . Don’t miss the next installments!
