Rural schools in San Pedro survive on community efforts amid state neglect

Rural education in Paraguay's San Pedro department is struggling, with schools like the Doña Floria Catalina Sosa de Ortigoza Basic School operating under severe conditions and heavy reliance on community efforts. Parents and students are mobilizing to demand resources, highlighting the precarious state of rural education.

The Doña Floria Catalina Sosa de Ortigoza school, located in San Diego, district of San Pedro de Ycuamandyyú, survives through the dedication of parents, teachers, and neighbors. The institution, initially built with private and community support, now suffers from deteriorating infrastructure, including broken windows, unsafe electrical systems, and inadequate access to potable water. A community-acquired water pump has broken down, forcing students to fetch water from a neighbor's home.

Compounding the challenges, a recent storm damaged the school grounds and felled trees. Parents are actively organizing raffles, community cleanups, and voluntary contributions to purchase essential supplies and perform minor repairs. The sole teacher, Rosana Ortiz, teaches students from first to sixth grade in a single classroom, a common practice in rural areas where families often lack the means to send children to more distant schools. Parents argue that the school's small student body of 17 is used by authorities as an excuse to withhold investment, despite the institution's critical role in providing education to local children.