What is school like in Paraguay?
Classroom
Most schools require a uniform. To make the most of the school buildings and facilities, some schools will begin at 7:30 and go until 11:30. A second session for other students will run from 1:30 until 5:30. Some schools will also offer a third session in the evening. Children only attend school four hours a day, and the multiple school sessions help them because they must often work most of the rest of the day, either on a farm in rural areas or selling goods on the streets in the cities. Children can make up most street vendors in the cities, which is quite a change from North American and European cultures.
Most children go to school with only a notebook and a pencil. Textbooks are hard to come by, and teachers usually teach from a barely adequate blackboard.
In Paraguay, the big meal of the day is usually at noon. Families return home for lunch and then take a little nap (siesta) after eating and returning to their day’s activities. This is becoming more difficult to do in large cities such as Asuncion, so the tradition is changing to a more American-like work and school schedule. Still, most of the country continues as it has for many, many years.
Education Culture
Education in Paraguay, like many Latin American countries, is difficult. Despite that, 80% of all children over five can read and write, and 92% of adults read and write.
Schooling is free and required for children ages seven to fourteen. However, this rule is not strictly enforced, especially for children in rural areas. Many children never attend or will drop out in those areas to help their family attend to farming. The school year runs from March to October, with a two-week mid-winter (July) break.
Because of the challenge of getting a good education in Paraguay wealthier families will often send their children to universities in Argentina or Brazil. Paraguay has two universities for those who can advance to that level (the National University and the Catholic University, but for those who do, the education is free—even at the universities.
In the early 1970s, more than 95% of all rural students dropped out of school before finishing the required six years of education. Soon after, however, education began a slow but determined improvement. Recent studies show that the overall percentage of urban and rural children who finish six years of school has risen to nearly 40%. (For rural kids, only 25% finish elementary school.) Approximately one out of every four children will continue to secondary school, but only 1% will earn a university degree. One very encouraging fact is that young women make up half of all secondary school graduates, which reflects significant progress in education rights and possibilities for girls.
Following six years in elementary school, secondary school is divided into two separate three-year segments: one focuses on the humanities and is intended to prepare students for university and professional studies, while the other is focused on more practical interests such as a program in agriculture, commerce, or industry. Graduation from either program brings the student a baccalaureate degree.
Learning
Paraguay has two official languages: Spanish and Guarani. Spanish is used in schools, government, and business, whereas Guarani is common for everyday conversations among family and friends. In schools with high Guarani-speaking populations, some classes and materials are available in that language.
Primary education is Compulsory, but not every child attends, especially in rural areas. By the time young people reach secondary school, they often must give up their studies to work in the fields to supplement family incomes. To persuade parents of the relevance of education, the government offers technical and vocational education to young people. About 90 percent of the adult population can read and write.
The school system is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, which is the official state religion and operates nearly all private schools. There is little distinction between church and state education. However, other religions are permitted to worship in the country and operate schools if they so choose. In part because of this strong, centuries-long influence, the school system is quite centralized, with all schools conducting the same programs and teaching the same content.
The core subjects covered in elementary schools include reading, writing, math, science, and history; additional subjects offered in many schools are Christian education, Spanish, Guarani, English, music, and computer skills.
The average student-to-teacher ratio is 21 to 1. Unfortunately, many teachers in rural schools are not certified and are not as well educated as they should be.
To School
Kids will either walk or ride public transportation buses to school, regardless of which school session they attend and then return home the same way. In some areas, bicycles may be the best way to get around, but walking remains most common. It is free and can get the kids everywhere, given enough time.