(Lack of) Education in Honduras

I’m sometimes torn what to write here – some of the experiences I’m having are pretty heavy and I don’t want to turn into a public service announcement.  Its probably more fun to follow along when my story about falling off a donkey gives you a break from what you are doing.  So I’ll try to make this somewhat brief and painless but thought it worth mentioning.

Education in Honduras is awful.  I’ve heard a statistic that the average level of education is 6th grade (11-12 years old).  And I’m sure a 6th grade education in Honduras is not nearly as good as having a 6th grade US education.

I have visited rural schools where 1 teacher juggles 3-4 different grades in a single classroom.  On each wall of the classroom there is a blackboard for a particular grade.

Classes are generally half-days – students start at 7 and are home for lunch.  It sounds like there is little oversight – if the teacher wants to show up and hour late and leave an hour early no big deal.  The school day goes from 5 hours to 3.

Unlike in the US, being a teacher is a GREAT paying job in Honduras.  So a lot of people become teachers for the money and not for the interest in teaching.  This is interesting because in the US it is the opposite.  There is also a lot of corruption in the system – some teachers are registered to teach in 2 different school districts that are hours apart.  Nobody catches this clerical error and the teacher gets paid double.

The teacher’s union is one of the strongest in the country.  They go on strike often – last year during the coup the students missed nearly half of their school days.  Right now in my town we have just entered the 4th week of the most recent strike.  During a previous strike I asked my family what the teachers were striking about.  They said that the current strike was the result of not being paid during the previous strike.  My mind exploded . . .

The issue is also very political.  Honduras remains a country that is very divided following last year’s coup.  In my own experience, this division has recently become more apparent – my host mom recently said that there are people in the mountains preparing for the next coup.  Not sure there is any truth to this, but the fact that its even a thought shows the division.  The teachers and their union were very aligned with the Zelaya government that was kicked out and are not adjusting well to the new political reality.

Unfortunately, the losers are the children.  There are some encouraging signs – a few days ago in my town the parents confronted the problem and are now pushing for substitute teachers / trying to give classes themselves.  But it is sad when education seems so fundamental to everything else.

And now, some photos from the schools.  Sorry for bumbing you out – maybe hug your teachers the next time you see them!