President Bernardo Arévalo and authorities from the Ministry of Education (Mineduc) presented this Thursday, June 25, the Francisco Marroquín National Order 2026 to seven outstanding teachers, during the commemoration of Teacher’s Day.
In his speech, the president stated that schools are the first space where people learn to live together, respect those who are similar and different, develop critical thinking and feel love for their community and for Guatemala. In this context, he highlighted the work of teachers in the training of new generations.
Arévalo assured that his administration has ensured that the Francisco Marroquín National Order is a respected recognition, based solely on the merit accumulated during the exercise of teaching and independent of political, personal or union interests.
Likewise, he thanked the Qualifying Commission for assuming the responsibility of preserving the prestige of the distinction and protecting the honor of the institution.
“Teaching is a silent task, but of immeasurable connective importance, and its exercise is the product of a vital vocation and an essential dedication to the service of the best of our societies, boys, girls, young men and women,” said the president.
The president also called to convert the strengthening of education into a shared commitment between teachers, families, communities, authorities, social organizations, the private sector and international cooperation, considering that the rescue of public education requires the effort of the entire society.
Three decades of service
One of the distinguished teachers, Augusto Leonel Sandoval Carpiostated that he receives the recognition with emotion, after more than 30 years dedicated to teaching in rural communities and in higher education.
He explained that he never taught with the purpose of obtaining an award, but rather with the commitment to serve children, young people and communities.
Sandoval recalled that he began his career in a unitary school in a community in Alta Verapaz, where he walked 18 kilometers daily along paths to teach classes. During that period he learned the Poqomchi’ language, which allowed him to communicate with his students and teach Spanish.
In addition to teaching classes, he promoted community projects, including the construction of the school building, the introduction of drinking water, and the opening of a road to the community.
The teacher added that he continued his academic training while teaching. He obtained a professorship, a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees and completed a doctorate in social research. He currently teaches classes at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, at the Chiquimula University Center, and at the Rafael Landívar University.
He also remembered with special emotion the letter he received from a former student from a rural community, who years later thanked him for the teachings received during primary school. According to him, this gesture confirmed the impact that teachers can have on the lives of their students.
“Teaching is one of the noblest ways to serve”
On behalf of the award-winning teachers, Victoria Monzón Monroy He stated that the award constitutes a tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to raising generations and maintained that teaching is one of the noblest ways to serve Guatemala.
The teacher recognized the work of the Qualifying and Selecting Commission of the Francisco Marroquín National Order and highlighted that the evaluation process was rigorous and based on merit, which strengthens the prestige of the distinction.
Likewise, he paid tribute to the teachers who carry out their work in different regions of the country, often in adverse conditions, as well as those who teach in national languages and promote peaceful coexistence within the classrooms.
Monzón affirmed that rescuing public education requires the participation of teachers, families, communities, authorities, social organizations, the private sector and international cooperation. He added that strengthening the educational system implies regaining trust, recognizing the merit of teaching and placing students at the center of the learning process.
Selection based on merit
The member of the Qualifying and Selecting Commission, Otilia Lux de Cotíexplained that the evaluation process included the review of 108 files using ten criteria defined by the commission.
Among them he mentioned the teaching career, the length of service, the community outreach, the quality of teaching, the management of educational projects, the vocation for service, the production of teaching materials and professional ethics.
He indicated that the files were reviewed three times before preparing a list of ten candidates, which was sent to the Ministry of Education for the corresponding legal review and the final designation of the seven winners.
Lux de Cotí stated that during the process they found research on artificial intelligence applied to teaching, climate change, environmental protection, children’s rights and educational materials prepared in Mayan languages, contributions that reflect the professional updating and commitment of teachers to their communities.
He assured that the selection was carried out with transparency, through consensus among the five members of the commission and based exclusively on the merits accredited by each candidate.
During the ceremony, Arévalo also remembered the teacher María Chinchilla, whose death gave rise to the commemoration of Teacher’s Day in Guatemala, and affirmed that her legacy represents the commitment to maintaining education at the service of democracy.
The teachers distinguished with the National Order Francisco Marroquín 2026 are:
- Augusto Leonel Sandoval Carpio, Chiquimula
- Boris Vinicio Martínez Tobar, Izabal
- Carmen Alicia Hernández Guillermo de Barrientos, Baja Verapaz
- Elmer Oswaldo Xitumul Tista, Baja Verapaz
- Emilia Josefa Juan Lorenzo, Huehuetenango
- José Celestino Guarcax González, Sololá
- Victoria Monzón Monroy from Toledo, Guatemala