Schooling in Chajul: National Struggles, Community Voices Lindsey Musen Kate Percuoco February 2010 This report was requested by Limitless Horizons Ixil. © 2010 Lindsey Musen and Kate Percuoco. Please contact the authors at
[email protected] with questions or for permission to reproduce. [SCHOOLING IN CHAJUL] February 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS Purpose 1 Chajul and the Ixil Region 2 Methodology 2 Education in Guatemala 3 Enrollment & Demographics 3 History of Education Policy 4 Current Education Policy 6 Gender 7 Poverty 9 Language and Culture 11 Academic Barriers 12 Education in Chajul 13 Funding 15 Politics 16 Enrollment and Class Size 17 Attendance, Grade Repetition, & Dropout 18 Gender 19 Facilities and Supplies 19 Materials 20 Technology 21 Curriculum & Instruction 21 Teachers 24 Family 25 Health 25 Outlying Communities 26 Social Services in Chajul 27 Strengths and Opportunities 29 Educational Needs 29 Models of Education Programming 30 Recommendations 34 Limitations 39 Authors and Acknowledgements 39 References 40 Appendix A: Limitless Horizons Ixil 43 PURPOSE This study was requested by Limitless Horizons Ixil1 (LHI), a non-governmental organization (NGO) operating in San Gaspar Chajul in the western highlands of Guatemala. The research is meant to illuminate the challenges faced by students, teachers, and educational leaders in the community, so that LHI 1 For more information about LHI, please visit http://www.limitlesshorizonsixil.org. 1 [SCHOOLING IN CHAJUL] February 2010 and other organizations in Chajul can focus their resources towards the greatest needs, while integrating community members into the process. CHAJUL AND THE IXIL REGION San Gaspar Chajul is isolated by beautiful mountains and has maintained its rich Ixil Mayan traditions and language.