This project was founded by Loli Anaut in the Amara Berri suburb of San Sebastian. Her pedagogical planning, untiring work, tenacity and efforts were aided by a team of teachers united in the task of providing a high quality educational experience. The organisation coordinates nineteen centres in the Basque Autonomous Community.
In 1990 Amara Berri was recognised by Basque Government as an Educational Innovation Centre with the twin functions of investigation and pedagogical development for teacher training in other centres. Attention to pupils with special educational needs is a key part of the centre’s activity.
The participation of the Parents’ Association and various commissions play an important role, whilst the Students’ Council has responsibility and represents the Centre in various ways.
Investigation, experience and innovation have been and are characteristics of the Amara Berri System. Its priorities include ensuring coherence between the purpose, practical form, the organisational structures and formation of the centre.
“We develop the theoretical framework of competences through classroom activities that entail methodological changes in our educational and organisational practices.
These changes create new roles and ways of acting between the elements that form our educational communities. The implementation of global projects may progress in this direction, from this perspective we believe that all initiatives that arise may become incorporated in the culture of every school. This culture develops continuously with everyone involved and that improvement is not just an end, but also the means.
The project “Globalisation as a vital process within an open system” began in 1978. This “System” consists of human, physical, educational purposes, organisation, essential activities, methodology, resources, etc., which interact continually and through this process each acquires its meaning.
It is a system of working, rather than a method; it is interdisciplinary, conceptual and organisational. It involves planning, reflection, analysis and decision-making.
It is an “open system” that can absorb new elements, create new interactions without losing its systematic organisation. “
Jam Butty's Alternative Education 