On average, one in four people in Guatemala can neither read nor write. In general, more than 50% of illiterate people are indigenous (Mayan descendants), two thirds of them live in rural areas and more than half are women. To date, Guatemala has one of the highest illiteracy rates in Latin America, which is why the minimum requirement is reading and writing for all. Although education is legally compulsory in Guatemala from the ages of 7 to 14, the school enrolment rate is only 69% and only a few children complete all six years of elementary school.
In Guatemala, the school system is divided into three stages:
- Elementary school (Escuela Primaria): Length: six years
69% enrolment rate, of which only about half of the children complete the 6-year primary school education
The average length of school attendance is less than five years, and in provinces with a predominantly indigenous population it is even less. The reason for this: Many children have to contribute to the family’s survival and work from a young age.
Additionally, there are too few teachers in the country, which is why some classes are over-crowded or several classes are taught at the same time. Due to poor training of primary school teachers and inadequate teaching materials, many children are unable to read, write or do arithmetic despite having completed primary school [2].
2. Secondary school
Middle School: (Primero Básico): Duration: three years
There are almost exclusively private institutions. Only around 20% of young people can afford secondary school [3]
High School (Bachillerato: Academic or Vocational). Duration: two or three years.
There are two different types of secondary school after Básicos. Either two years to obtain the baccalaureate (Diversificado) degree, or a three-year dual course of education, which includes the baccalaureate and a vocational qualification (Carrera). There are more than 142 different training courses [4].
3. University (Universidad)
The number of graduates from Guatemalan universities is around 15%. The low percentage is said to be due to the poor quality of primary and secondary education. [5]
Sources:
[1], [2], [3], [5] Herrmann, Frank (2011): Guatemala. Stefan Loose Travel Handbücher, 4. Auflage
[4] Herrmann, Frank (2006): Guatemala. Stefan Loose Travel Handbücher, 2. Auflage