In search of preparing and getting ahead with their studies, at least 30 men and women began the 2025 school year at the free press of the free press spokesmen, an effort that has come true for 30 years.
The objective of the school of free press spokesmen is to support the spokesmen of this medium to their families and the personnel who seek to overcome and conclude their studies that for some reason were interrupted during their childhood or adolescence.
María Mercedes Girón de Blank, founder of this project assured by means of a letter read the CEO of the Press Free Group, Christian Blank, that this school was the first program to teach to read and write to spokespersons of Guatemala, and which was counted with the support of the National Literacy Commission (CONALFA) for the teaching of Primary.
In addition, in the letter he explained that since 2015 with the Institute of Distance Education “The School in her home” the opportunities for overcoming for spokesmen with basic and high school in science and letters were expanded.
In the letter, part of the discourse given in 1995 was evoked. “Our journalistic company knows the high illiteracy indices that punish the Guatemalans and for that reason we want If overcome, and so it is in the free press, we are interested in collaborating so that our spokesmen can be overcome. “
Throughout these 30 years, more than 500 people have completed their primary, basic and diversified studies, and some entered the university.
This is the case of Josué Chacaj, 30, originally from Santa María Chiquimula, Totonicapán, from where poverty decided to migrate to the city and abandoned his studies to look for work and became a free press spokesman.
Chacaj found not only a job opportunity, but also to continue his studies, which led him to dream of his next goal, be a magistrate.
“Passing was something motivating, in this institution I was one of its collaborators as a vocator and I saw there the announcement where there is an opportunity to study regardless of the year, then I could follow, my dream is to become a magistrate and now I am starting the fourth year of legal and social sciences “.
Iris Roldán also told his history of overcoming after having graduated from high school.
“With love and patience they have taught us to be better people, students invite them to continue studying and fight for their goals and their dreams. I am 40 years old and I succeeded, I thought I was not going to achieve it because my life It was very hard, but I am here graduated, with a job and I will start the first year of law, “said Roldán.
This time there are at least 30 students who will begin this school year; 10 graduates in high school, 18 at the basic level and two of primary school are registered.
Carmen Rodas, 56, is currently part of the maintenance area of the free press plant, and four years ago he decided The last of the race.
“I was motivated by the professors who one day saw me in the school and asked me if I wanted to study and four years ago they gave me the opportunity, I don’t know how much I stop studying, but it has been a great happiness since I carry a more achievement In my life and that this year I culminated, “Rodas said.
This day school supplies were also given to students, to support them in their studies.
“Merit is basically from you, of the students who have put your effort, and hours during these 30 years this school has simply been a means for you to achieve success,” said Blank, who stressed the effort of the founder of the literacy school to carry it forward for three decades.
“It has been its main source of learning in life, and when I see the importance of this school when I turn 30 years I see its values, beliefs, human quality, demand, passion and especially its unattainable vision in the search for improvement, with Free press, with the spokesmen and with Guatemala, “said Blank.
Three decades of service
The Free Press Vocerator School was born on February 20, 1995, at the initiative of its founder, María Mercedes Girón de Blank, who is also president of the Free Press Administration Board.
The objective was and continues to support the spokespersons and collaborators of the company and their families to finish their studies and thereby contribute to the country’s education.
Judith Muralles, coordinator of the School of Vocertain, said she has had the opportunity to bring students to overcoming.
“Over time we have, with the other teachers, taken affection, we try to always perfect every day and do our best and above all that they feel good at school, that they learn and that some moment they can have opportunities for improvement Economic, “said Muralles.
Throughout these three decades there is a record that 164 high school graduates have graduated and completed their studies together with Isea’s support, while at the primary level with Conalfa there are 295.
Héctor Saúl Calderón, in charge of the Departmental Literacy Coordination of Guatemala de Conalfa assured that when the private initiative and the public sector are joined, the reflection is seen in actions such as the 30th anniversary of the School of Vocehers of the Press Free and stressed that this helps this to the situation that the country lives with those who have abandoned their studies.
Calderón said that in the country 15.49 % of people do not know how to read or write, that is, one million 900 thousand Guatemalans, approximately.
He adds that in the case of the department of Guatemala it is 5.06 % that are more or less 140 thousand people who still did not have the opportunity to study.
Isabel Cristina Balcazar, technical director of the Institute of Distance Education “The School in her home” (Isea), said that in 2015 she looked together with the School of Spokesmen to support with the education of basic and diversified level.
“We feel very happy and very satisfied with the opportunity they saw in us,” he said.