Violence mars protests over Guatemala school reform

In early October, soldiers in Guatemala opened fire on a group of protesters who had blocked a rural highway. CNN reported seven people killed and several dozen wounded.

The violence is just the latest incident in a months-long feud between the government, which is seeking to overhaul the country’s chronically underperforming public schools, and teachers unions and education students who are protesting new rules that would increase years of mandatory training new teachers are required to attend.

The bottom line is that success in the 21st century economy depends increasingly on education and job skills. These are two areas where Guatemala is falling behind.


Source: Forbes