Education Minister Gilda Alcívar stated on September 1, 2026, that the Ecuadorian government has been executing a prevention and contingency plan for educational institutions since November 2025 to mitigate the impact of the El Niño phenomenon. ^[1] The government allocated $1.2 billion specifically for the reinforcement of educational infrastructure, including the construction of roofs, drainage systems, and retaining walls. ^[2] Ecuador's Minister of Education, Sport and Culture, Gilda Alcívar, said on September 1, 2026, that the 'Plan Escudo' strengthens the state's capacity to prevent and respond to threats to students, describing it as a planned, coordinated action within the legal framework. ^[3] On September 1, 2026, the 2026-2027 school year began in Ecuador's Sierra and Amazonía region, with approximately 1.7 million students returning to classes under the fiscal regime. ^[4] The government allocated $300 million for the acquisition and distribution of 62 flood prevention kits, each containing electric generators, suction pumps, and hoses. ^[5] The National Union of Educators (UNE) formally requested a state of emergency for the Ecuadorian education system on August 31, 2026, warning that over 7,139 educational institutions are located in priority and vulnerable sectors. ^[6] Quito Mayor Pabel Muñoz said on September 1, 2026, at the Unidad Educativa Municipal Sucre that the municipality is the only one administering 20 educational units and that these units have his full support. ^[7] The government invested $52.1 million in educational infrastructure for the new Sierra-Amazonía school cycle. ^[8] Education Minister Gilda Alcívar stated that the national school dropout rate has decreased to 1% for the new academic year. ^[9] Camila Serrano reported spending USD 250 on uniforms for her daughter, citing boots and patches as the most expensive items. ^[10] Lourdes Artieda, a uniform vendor in Quito, stated that her business sales have declined over the last two years. ^[11]