Education in Guatemala - Enfants du Monde Education in Guatemala - Enfants du Monde
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Guatemala

Bilingual and Intercultural Education

Classe au Guatemala

In 2023

92,243

students benefit from quality education

3,381

teachers trained in our pedagogy

218

parents of aware schoolchildren

Bilingual Education: a Necessity

Guatemala has a rich ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity: Spanish is the official language of the country, but there are also 22 Mayan languages, such as Q’eqchi’ and Kaqchikel. Although these languages are recognised by the state, the Mayan population still suffers from severe discrimination and the school system does not take sufficient account of the language and culture of indigenous peoples.

Helping Mayan Children Learn Better

In 2001, as part of the Bilingual and Intercultural Education Programme, Enfants du Monde began working in the Alta Verapaz region to improve the quality of education and train teachers in bilingual and intercultural teaching. Since then, at the request of the Guatemalan Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), the programme has been extended to other regions and linguistic areas: our association works in the municipalities of Cobán and San Juan Chamelco, with the Q’eqchi’ Mayan communities, and in the municipality of Tecpán, with the Kaqchikel linguistic community.

Improving the quality of education for Maya schoolchildren

Since the 1970s, the Guatemala Ministry of Education has followed a policy of bilingual and intercultural education and seeks to promote teaching in the mother tongue of schoolchildren. Despite these efforts, many Maya schoolchildren still do not have access to quality education. In order to improve the quality of education in these schools, Enfants du Monde is involved in training the teachers.

Aby Natalí Jutzuy Santelel, Teacher at the EORM Agua Escondida school in Chimaltenango

The training helped me improve my Kaqchikel language skills, become more aware of the importance of passing on our traditions and local culture, be more open to new learning and teaching methods, realise the importance of bilingualism, and promote learning two or three languages at the same time in my school. Students can learn everything at the same time, and sometimes the limitation lies with the teachers or the resources available.

 

Involving the Community

Until 2020, parents were made aware of the importance of bilingual and intercultural education and training for their children at educational council meetings.

Leonor Ajtzac Sapón, Mother of two children at the EORM school in Pueblo Viejo

In the past, the children only learned to say a few words in kaqchikel, everything was in Spanish. It’s better for the children to learn in their own language, that they place more importance on their language and culture, on the customs of their village. But this has to happen at home too, families must also use the local language, so they don’t lose it.

Addressing Two Years of School Closures During the COVID-19 Crisis

In Central America, Guatemala was one of the countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools have been closed for over two years. During this period, Enfants du Monde contributed to the Aprendo en Casa y en Clase emergency plan set up by the Ministry of Education to support students and teachers in implementing and completing lessons at home.

The Guatemalan Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Enfants du Monde and the Directorate General for Bilingual and Intercultural Education (DIGEBI), developed self-learning guides and radio programmes in Mayan and Spanish, as well as distance learning courses for teachers.

Watch teacher Dilma Calel’s testimony on the challenges of distance learning (In French):

Helping our Beneficiaries in Emergency Situations

In November 2020, hurricanes ETA and IOTA caused severe flooding that devastated the department of Alta Verapaz. We provided food and psychological support to 400 families with 1,200 children in 14 communities. Humanitarian aid organisations are very rare in this region and local governments were unable to cope with this emergency situation. That is why, in collaboration with our partner NGO CIPREVICA and with financial support from Swiss Solidarity, we provided assistance to the people of Alta Verapaz.

 

Reyna, Pupil in Guatemala

I am learning to read and write in Spanish as well as in my mother tongue, Kaqchikel. I mostly like to read tales and learn how to write. Later on, I would like to become a doctor to heal others.

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Latest news

“>

Three Good News Stories to Celebrate!

1 January 2025

As we begin a new year, we want to share three positive highlights from 2024 that demonstrate the impact of your support for the most vulnerable people.

1January 2025
“>

YOU CAN PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN!

11 December 2024

Your donation can provide quality education for children in Guatemala and Burkina Faso, and save the lives of expectant mothers and babies in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Discover how your generosity makes a difference.

11December 2024
“>

The new Geneva Declaration will be unveiled on November 20 to reaffirm children’s rights!

25 November 2024

On November 20, in celebration of International Children’s Rights Day, the new Declaration of the Rights of the Child will be unveiled—a global commitment to reaffirm children’s fundamental rights. This initiative, spearheaded by organizations including Enfants du Monde, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for the development of younger generations. Join this global movement to make children’s rights a reality.

25November 2024
“>

Guatemala – Innovative training to enhance reading and writing skills  

4 October 2024

Discover our new university training program is designed to strengthen bilingual teaching in Mayan and Spanish languages, to improve literacy skills from the first year of school, and to highlight the value of indigenous cultures.

4October 2024
“>

Annual report: together, we transform education and health worldwide

19 July 2024

In 2023, thanks to your support, we were able to offer quality education to thousands of children and better healthcare access for pregnant women. Find out in our annual report, how our projects are transforming the practices of teachers and healthcare workers.

19July 2024
“>

Together, let’s support vulnerable mothers and children around the world

12 December 2023

By engaging with us to help and protect mothers and children around the world, we can have a sustainable impact on their living conditions together through quality education and access to health services.

12December 2023
“>

Mission logbooks: discover Guatemala through our bilingual education project

30 March 2023

30March 2023
“>

Three Good News Stories to Celebrate!

1 January 2025

As we begin a new year, we want to share three positive highlights from 2024 that demonstrate the impact of your support for the most vulnerable people.

1January 2025
“>

YOU CAN PROVIDE A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN!

11 December 2024

Your donation can provide quality education for children in Guatemala and Burkina Faso, and save the lives of expectant mothers and babies in countries like Bangladesh and Nepal. Discover how your generosity makes a difference.

11December 2024
“>

The new Geneva Declaration will be unveiled on November 20 to reaffirm children’s rights!

25 November 2024

On November 20, in celebration of International Children’s Rights Day, the new Declaration of the Rights of the Child will be unveiled—a global commitment to reaffirm children’s fundamental rights. This initiative, spearheaded by organizations including Enfants du Monde, emphasizes the urgent need to ensure a safe environment for the development of younger generations. Join this global movement to make children’s rights a reality.

25November 2024
“>

Guatemala – Innovative training to enhance reading and writing skills  

4 October 2024

Discover our new university training program is designed to strengthen bilingual teaching in Mayan and Spanish languages, to improve literacy skills from the first year of school, and to highlight the value of indigenous cultures.

4October 2024
“>

Annual report: together, we transform education and health worldwide

19 July 2024

In 2023, thanks to your support, we were able to offer quality education to thousands of children and better healthcare access for pregnant women. Find out in our annual report, how our projects are transforming the practices of teachers and healthcare workers.

19July 2024
“>

Together, let’s support vulnerable mothers and children around the world

12 December 2023

By engaging with us to help and protect mothers and children around the world, we can have a sustainable impact on their living conditions together through quality education and access to health services.

12December 2023
“>

Mission logbooks: discover Guatemala through our bilingual education project

30 March 2023

30March 2023

Contact our Team

In Guatemala
Enfants du Monde
c/o CIPREVICA
12 calle 1-48, Zona 10, Edificio Pivaral, 6to nivel,
Ciudad de Guatemala,
Guatemala

Maria Balaguer, regional coordinator
Phone : + (+502) 42 06 49 54
Email :alat@edm.ch

In  Switzerland 

Enfants du Monde
Route de Ferney 150, CP 2100
1211 Genève 2, Suisse
Phone : +41 22 798 88 81
Email : info@edm.ch

Simone Arcila, Latine America Programme Manager

 

Enfants à l’école au Guatemala

My Donation Makes a Difference

For example:

With 70 francs:

I offer a bilingual textbook in Spanish and Mayan to 53 students in Guatemala.

With 140 francs:

I fund 2 educational radio shows for students who can no longer go to school in Guatemala.

With 200 francs:

I finance continuing education in bilingual education to 10 teachers in Guatemala to improve the quality of their lessons.

DONATE NOW
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