Guatemala faces significant educational challenges, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities where poverty and limited access to resources are widespread.¹ According to UNICEF, roughly 90% of children living in poverty never graduate high school.² Government support for education is severely underfunded—Guatemala dedicates under 3% of its GDP to education, ranking among the lowest in Latin America.³ As a result, many rural schools struggle to provide quality instruction, and only about 56% of students complete sixth grade, limiting long-term opportunities for success.
These challenges are felt even more intensely at the local level, especially in Quetzaltenango.⁴ Many schools are overcrowded, forcing teachers to manage large class sizes with very few materials. Teachers in some areas receive as little as $30 per year to supply their classrooms. Without adequate infrastructure or resources, students often learn in cramped spaces that were never intended to serve so many children. This strains teachers, lowers educational outcomes, and prevents students from receiving the individual attention and supportive learning environment they need.
To help address these barriers, HXP Builders will partner with local workers to construct new classrooms in Quetzaltenango. By creating a safer, more functional learning environment, the project will support both children and teenagers in their academic development. Through sustainable construction and collaboration with the community, this project aims to increase access to education and empower students with greater opportunities for the future.
Sources:
² CEIC
³ OECD
⁴ UNICEF