ABOUT GUATEMALA  The most populous country in Central America, Guatemala is a diverse mix of ethnic groups and languages. More than half of the population lives in rural settings and approximately 40% are Amerindians, such as K’iche, Kaqchikel and Mayan. After a 36 year civil war, Guatemala has made great progress. The literacy level remains low and many students opt out of the education system. Furthermore, federal funding for Guatemala’s six universities has shrunk and many institutions lack basic resources.

The Pathways to Higher Education program in Guatemala is working to improve the equity of its education system and extend opportunities to the country’s historically marginalized students. The program is working to increase access by extending higher education opportunities to the country’s rural students and encouraging diversity. For example, the Center for Research on the Mesoamerican Region has worked with the Pathways program to conduct research on the country’s higher education institutions.  The research looked at accessibility, the disadvantaged student population and Guatemala’s ability to compete with institutions in other countries.  The University of San Carlos, Pathways’ key partner, is the only public university in the country that has a significant indigenous student presence.