Educational Statistics in Honduras

 

The Honduran constitution states that a free primary education is obligatory for every child between the ages of seven and fourteen.  But:

 

·     Due to critically under-funded and under-staffed     

      schools, a good education is still largely the

      privilege of the few who can afford to send their children to private institutions. 

 

·     The Honduran Ministry estimates that almost 40 percent of the total Honduran population is illiterate.  This percentage climbs to almost 80 percent for rural areas.

 

·     Only 43 percent of children enrolled in public schools complete the primary level. Of all children entering the first grade, only 30 percent go on to secondary school, and only 8 percent continue to the university.

 

·     The quality of instruction in Honduran public schools is greatly impaired by poor teacher training. The situation is worsened by the extremely low wages paid to teachers, lack of effective and up-to-date instruction materials, outdated teaching methods, poor administration, enormous class sizes, and lack of physical facilities.

 

(researched through the U.S.  Library of Congress)