POV Season 15 Episode 9 Escuela

In POV season 15 episode 9, titled "Escuela," viewers are taken on a journey to a small town in Mexico, where a fearless group of young children risk their lives to attend a school located on the outskirts of a dangerous forest. The documentary provides an intimate look at the lives of the students and teachers at this unique school, and explores the challenges they face in their pursuit of education.

The school is called "La Escuela de la Montaña," or "The Mountain School," and is located in a rural town in the state of Guerrero. Due to poverty, violence, and other social issues, the school was established to provide a safe and positive learning environment for children in the area. However, getting to and from the school is not easy. The only road leading to it is dangerous, and the journey requires crossing a river and trekking through a forest.

Even with the risks involved, the students at La Escuela de la Montaña are incredibly dedicated to their education. The documentary features several students, including 11-year-old Yael, who dreams of becoming a teacher herself one day. Another student, 9-year-old Jovana, has a passion for dance and hopes to pursue it professionally someday.

The teachers at the school are equally inspiring, often going above and beyond to ensure their students receive a quality education. One of the teachers, Dona Sofia, is a community leader who has been fighting for education reform in Mexico for years. Throughout the documentary, she discusses the challenges of providing education in a region plagued by violence and poverty.

Despite these challenges, the sense of community at La Escuela de la Montaña is strong. Many of the parents volunteer as cooks or assistants at the school, and the students often help each other with their studies. The documentary showcases the tight-knit relationships between the teachers, students, and parents, emphasizing the importance of this school to both individual families and the community as a whole.

The documentary also touches on broader social issues facing Mexico, including the Mexico drug war and the country's struggling education system. Overall, "Escuela" is a moving, eye-opening look at the power of education and the resilience of young children determined to learn, despite the obstacles in their way.