The Accelerated Primary School Program was formed in 2006 to provide adults who never had the opportunity to complete their elementary education with a government-certified primary school diploma. Every Saturday at 8am, the El Nahual Community Center opens its doors to people who come to study Spanish, mathematics, and history taught by Guatemalan teachers. The program is provided at a very low cost and takes two years to complete.
For a variety of reasons, many people never get the chance to complete their primary school education. In theory, the state provides six years of free elementary education up the age of 14, but many families still cannot afford the costs associated with school (such as purchasing supplies, books, uniforms and inscription fees) and the authorities do very little to prevent children from dropping out early or attending sporadically. Many people leave school out of the necessity to enter the labor force, work in the fields, or find other means of employment to support themselves and their families, even at very early ages.
Our first class of 14 students graduated in November 2008, and our second in November 2009. Currently approximately 35 students are enrolled, ranging from ages 14 to 65. Upon completion of the program, our students receive an official, government-recognized diploma, along with the immense pride that comes with meeting a goal out of reach for many Guatemalans. In the future, we hope to expand the program once the construction on our new community center is completed. There we will offer classes during the evenings as well as the weekends, in addition to workshops that will provide instruction in practical and trade skills.
