Bolivia's Economic Crisis: Thousands of Students Drop Out of School

Bolivia's Economic Crisis Forces Thousands of Students to Abandon Their Education La Paz, Bolivia – The economic crisis gripping Bolivia is having a devastating impact on the country's youth, with thousands of secondary school students forced to abandon their studies to work and support their families. This alarming trend was highlighted in a recent report by Red Uno, which interviewed education officials and showed footage of students working in various jobs instead of attending classes. "18,000 students in La Paz alone have dropped out," stated Jose Luis Alvarez, head of the Urban Teaching Staff, in the Red Uno report. "They are choosing to work to help their families survive the crisis." The report also revealed that 10% of primary and secondary students across the country are no longer attending school. The video showed students working in various settings, from street vending to informal labor. The emotional contrast is striking: while the students' economic necessity is evident, the loss of educational opportunity is equally profound. Alvarez added, "The government, instead of addressing the crisis, is closing schools and merging parallel classes, further hindering education." The situation underscores the urgent need for economic relief and support for education in Bolivia. The loss of an entire generation's education is a serious concern with long-term consequences for the country's development.