The Ministry of Education, through the General Directorate of Non-Formal Education, DIGEEX, set up the Flexible Modalities Program for the Secondary Education, as a complementary strategy of coverage and equity, which offers educational opportunities so that people can start or complete their studies at the intermediate level in the Middle and High School cycles. The Program operates in the following levels: Middle Level which serves students aged 15 and over and High School level for students beginning at 17 years of age.

The Program is implemented at the national level, focusing on the rural and urban-marginal area, particularly in sectors with indexes of educational lagging. This program is implemented with the support of Non-Governmental Organizations, Government Organizations, Associations, Foundations, Municipalities; among others, in order to meet the educational demand in accordance with the provisions of Government Agreement Number 226-2008, Educational Gratuity Law. The locations where the students of the program are served are called Extracurricular Education Centers, CEEX.

Legal Basis:

Flexible Modalities Program for Secondary Education was created by Ministerial Agreement Number 785-2011 dated March 21, 2011.

Objectives

  • Supply flexible educational modalities for people who, due to their family commitments, work occupations, low economic resources, migration, geographic location in which they live, cannot attend the formal school subsystem.
  • Respond to the needs, interests, and pace of learning of young people and adults.
  • Promote the development of skills to enhance life quality.

How does the Flexible Modalities Program for Secondary Education work?

The educational delivery is done in a blended and distance mode, establishing different methods and didactic strategies, making them suitable to the student's conditions. This modality allows each student to organize their time according to their work or family responsibilities, strengthen their learning habits, and develop skills to critically analyze reality.

This educational modality includes special procedures as a means for the National Base Curriculum delivery. In addition, this program has integrated learning modules, these educational resources are designed with a project-based curriculum integration approach. Four integrated lessons are developed each week.

How are the stages organized?

Lower Secondary Education

The curriculum for the Lower Secondary Education is developed in two stages. The first stage corresponds to the first semester of first grade and the second semester is the counterpart of the second grade. The second stage corresponds to the third and fourth semesters equivalent to third grade.

Upper Secondary Education

As of 2014, there is a National Base Curriculum for the Upper Secondary Level which fosters student competencies related to entrepreneurship and productivity. This curriculum is carried out in two years and with a total of 960 learning hours. The two years are equivalent to two stages; the first stage corresponds to the fourth grade and the second stage to the fifth grade of Guatemalan High School.

What are the requirements for authorization of the Program?

The CEEXs, based on Resolution No. 26-2019, are authorized by the Regional Directorates of Education, through the Regional Coordination of Non-Formal Education.

The requirements for the authorization of CEEX’s are:

  • Submission of a request letter from the non-profit entity addressed to the Director of the Regional Directorate of Education with a copy to the Regional Coordination of Non-Formal Education.
  • In the letter mentioned above, entities must specify the following items: a) The educational delivery will be free of charges for the student, b) The entity will directly contract and pay the salary to the teachers, c) The entity will keep constant communication with the corresponding Regional Coordination of Non-Formal Education and d) The specification of Program’s point of delivery.
  • Presentation of the legal document which supports the operation of the interesting entity.

Who delivers the Program?

High School teachers as a minimum level of education; They are hired and financed by the entities which implement the Program.

How is the Flexible Modalities Program implemented?

The interested entities in implementing the program carry out the management of authorization at the Regional Directorates of Education, with the guidance of the Regional Coordination of Non-Formal Education. Teachers are trained and educational materials are delivered according to their availability; technical and administrative support is also provided.