The historical context and modern realities of the influence of the bilingual educational system of Ecuador on the process of forming the cultural identity of the local indigenous population

The object of this study is the bilingual education system in the Republic of Ecuador. The subject of the study is the influence of this educational system on the formation of the cultural identity of representatives of the local indigenous population. The paper examines the role of bilingual education in the preservation and transmission of cultural values among representatives of the indigenous population of Ecuador, as well as its impact on their social integration. Special attention is paid to the analysis of data obtained from a survey of the indigenous population, which revealed the key current trends in the development of bilingual education in the country. The historical context of the implementation of this educational system and related challenges are also considered. Within the framework of the study, bilingual education is understood as an important tool for maintaining cultural and linguistic diversity in Ecuador, the main task of which is to improve the quality of education in indigenous languages. The research methods include: a sociological survey aimed at collecting data on the perception of bilingual education in the indigenous communities of Ecuador; quantitative and qualitative methods aimed at identifying statistical patterns and interpreting the opinions of respondents. A content analysis of educational materials and programs is also carried out in order to assess the degree of integration of autochthonous languages into the educational process. The results of the study show that bilingual education, taking into account the interests of all indigenous peoples, plays a crucial role in strengthening their socio-cultural identity and status in society. It is also emphasized that true inclusivity of education can be achieved only with proper funding from the government and adequate training of teaching staff. The novelty of the conducted research lies in an integrated approach to studying the impact of bilingual education on the cultural identity and social integration of the indigenous population of Ecuador with the analysis of relevant data obtained through a survey of representatives of autochthonous communities. This allowed not only to study the historical context of the formation of the local educational environment, but also helped to identify some current trends in the development of bilingual education in the country. The study highlights the need for further modernization and improvement of the Ecuadorian bilingual education system, since it acts not only as a means of preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples, but also as an important tool for the formation of equal rights and opportunities for social development.

Ecuadorian Spanish, Bilingual education, Cultural identity, Indigenous population, Social integration, Educational system, Language policy, Inclusivity, Bilingualism, Indigenous languages