Implementation of Open High School Education in a Public Educational Institution in Paraguay

Abstract

Education is a fundamental human right, which means that all people should have access to a quality, accessible, inclusive, and equitable education. It is the responsibility of governments to guarantee this right and work to eliminate the barriers that prevent its full exercise. In Paraguay, the Ministry of Education and Science (MEC in Spanish) has implemented Open Secondary Education (EMA in Spanish) as an educational opportunity for those students who have not been able to complete their secondary education. This descriptive and exploratory research analyzed the implementation of EMA in a Public Management Educational Institution between 2020 and 2022. A sample of 137 students out of a total population of 210 was surveyed, as well as all teaching, technical, and directive staff of the EMA. The objective was to describe the characteristics of the implementation, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the process. The results indicate that the implementation of the EMA was positively valued by the educational community, providing students with the necessary flexibility to reintegrate into the system. Among the strengths, the reduced costs, digital resources, and flexible schedules stand out. However, challenges were also identified, such as the need for teacher training, little interaction between students, and the financial sustainability of the modality. The MEC must evaluate the impact of EMA at the national level to adjust strategies and improve the quality of this educational alternative that promotes equity.