I am Professor Nilda Cifuentes, director of la Escuela la Perla and live in the community of La Perla, 20 km from Nuevo San Carlos in department of Retalhuleu, Guatemala. This is a remote and poor community, but a community of great strength, as demonstrated in the mutual support between families during these most difficult times of a global pandemic.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the President of Guatemala has taken several measures to prevent the spread of the contagion, including a curfew from 4:00 pm to 4:00 am during which no one can be on the streets. He has limited the number of people in public markets and spaces, and has suspended all kinds of activities, including religious, social, and sporting events. He has suspended all classes for both public and private schools nationwide as part of the program, “aprendo en casa” (Learn at Home), which is being implemented through the Ministry of Education.
A television program for pre- and primary-school children is broadcast every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. As the principal of the la Escuela la Perla and concerned with the children’s education, I have found that several families do not have TVs (and therefore can’t participate) and others where the children have seen the program but don’t like it, or have difficulty following the lessons and quickly lose interest. But there are also children who like the program and are able to keep up. I have found that the participation and involvement of the parents is critical to the effectiveness of this program. But with limited resources, both parents must often work, leaving their young children at home in the care of an older sister or relative. Without the encouragement of parents, these children are unlikely to keep learning. So, this “learn at home” strategy is not functioning entirely as intended.
This is making clear the importance of teachers and schools to education, and is also making clear the fundamental necessity of providing school meals. My teaching staff are taking the trouble of visiting the children at their homes, delivering homework and following up with those who do the assignments. Many households in my community have five or more children and, with work scarce and with limited financial resources, are struggling to survive. I am looking for strategies to help these families in need with childcare and basic food supplies.
Comment: It is not known when children will be able to return to their classes and continue their normal studies. It is worrying because many of the parents have lost their jobs and no longer have the means to support their families. In order to provide food for their children, they must leave the house in search of part-time work that pays by the hour. These families are not thinking about their children's studies. Teachers, the Ministry of Education, and the organizations that support education, must think about a strategy that makes up for the time that has been lost, especially for the children who have been unable to learn at home.
