In New York & Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Similar Education Problems

I will be doing my practice experience in Guatemala, volunteering as a teacher at the local community center, El Nahual, in Quetzaltenango.  About a decade ago, El Nahual was created because the community wanted to address the shortcomings of the national educational system.  Today, the community center offers various classes for students in an effort to make up for the public school’s lack of resources.  They offer quality education at an affordable price by using volunteers from the community and abroad to help. 

I came across an article in the NY Times the other day about the problems New York is facing in their public schools (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/nyregion/for-new-york-city-parents-a-waiting-list-for-nearly-everything.html?ref=education&_r=0).  The article, “Born to Wait,” reveals the difficulties parents are currently facing as they try to enroll their kids in various after school classes, from science camps to learning how to swim.  There is a waiting list for almost everything, leaving the kids with little opportunity to explore their interests.

This article connects to my practice experience because El Nahual was created as a response to their frustration with the public school system.  Now, the kids in the community have access to classes like art and math to make up for what they are not getting at school.  In New York’s case, they could benefit from community centers that offer more classes. 

I found it interesting that New York parents are frustrated with the lack of sufficient opportunities for after school activities because that is how the community of Quetzaltenango felt before they created El Nahual.  Now, New York parents will have to either continue to live with the endless waiting lists or do something about it and create their own opportunities for more classes.