Flexible educational trajectories for vulnerable adolescents and youth in Guatemala

Guatemala faces profound structural inequalities that severely impact its young population, especially girls, boys and adolescents in situations of poverty, exclusion, violence and rights violations. This problem is manifested in high rates of school dropout, teenage pregnancy, gender violence and youth criminalization. In response, Grupo Ceiba Association has been promoting for more than a decade an alternative and flexible education model, in alliance with the Ministry of Education, oriented toward guaranteeing the right to education for adolescents in contexts of vulnerability, promoting their social and labour inclusion, and fostering community development through participatory, innovative and student-centred pedagogy.

This project aims to evaluate the relevance, effectiveness, impact and scalability of the Ceiba Educational Model to guarantee accessible and quality education for adolescents and young people outside the formal system, due to situations of conflict with criminal law, or situations of mobility (migrants and returnees). It seeks to generate evidence that guides public policies, fosters inclusion and facilitates the sustainable expansion of the model.

The research methodology uses a mixed approach, including systematization, validations, surveys, information analysis, interviews, focus groups and participant observation. It is expected to generate solid evidence about the efficacy and scalability of the model, institutionally strengthen Grupo Ceiba, design strategic plans and contribute to public policies that reduce educational exclusion in contexts of high youth vulnerability.

The project will work with key stakeholders to influence educational policies, practices and interventions, involving ministries, humanitarian organizations and civil society.

The project was selected through an open competitive call from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Knowledge and Innovation Exchange with a view to improving children’s access and retention in education in emergencies and fragile, conflict and violence-affected contexts in GPE partner countries.