Education in Guatemala - Opportunity and Hope through Schooling
Access to proper education is one of the most important things that a country can offer to its youth. Skills like reading, writing, and mathematics are vital to a child’s development and growth. These skills help kids prepare for the future, whether that means continuing their education or finding a good job to make a living. While Guatemala’s government provides public education to children, there are many issues facing the Central American country’s education system, including:
Resources - Guatemala spends 3.2% of its GDP a year on education, leading to an education system that doesn’t provide children with the resources they need to succeed. The lack of investment in education affects the quality of teachers that are hired, the educational technology schools have access to, and the number of public schools throughout the country.
Attendance - Students are only required to attend school through 6th grade. This often leads to children discontinuing their schooling before they’ve received a complete education, contributing to high illiteracy and poverty rates in parts of the country.
Location - Due to the lack of funding for education, few public schools are located in the rural areas of Guatemala. This makes it extremely difficult for students in these regions to get to school. Often, the only option for rural students are private schools, which many families can’t afford.
Language - The official language of Guatemala is Spanish, but not all Guatemalans are fluent. A large population of indigenous people in the country only speak one of the many Mayan Indian languages. Because of this language barrier, it is difficult to communicate and provide education to indigenous children.
Due, in part, to the education system, Guatemala is a deeply impoverished nation with one of the highest illiteracy rates in all of Central America. The lack of education prevents many Guatemalans from breaking out of the cycle of poverty and results in a constant struggle to survive.
At Hope Renewed International we are trying to improve education in Guatemala and give students a chance at a better life. Informed by our deep faith in Christ, we’ve opened a preschool, funded scholarships, and provided social services to students in the poorest communities in Guatemala. We believe that all children deserve a chance to develop their God-given abilities and make better lives for themselves. Find out how you can help make a difference in Guatemala today!