A Day In The Life Of Bolivian Students

A typical school day in Bolivia starts around 8 am and ends at 12 pm or 1 pm. Children then go home to have lunch with their families, rest for a few hours, and may return to school for extracurricular activities like soccer or dance. While education is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 13, secondary education is not compulsory and attendance can be difficult to enforce in some areas. Schools in Bolivia may be state-supported or private, with private schools often observing the US school year and providing meals, buses, and extracurricular programs. Students typically wear uniforms, and public schools provide breakfast most days, while private schools usually do not.

School hours and structure

School hours in Bolivia vary depending on the type of school and location. In general, the school day begins around 7:00-8:00 a.m. and ends around 1:00 p.m., with students attending either in the morning or afternoon. Some schools offer evening classes as well. The structure of the school day includes time for academic classes, physical education, recess, and extracurricular activities.

In urban areas, schools tend to follow a more traditional schedule, with students attending from Monday to Friday for around 7 hours per day. In rural areas, education may be more flexible and agricultural and cultural-based, with students attending school for half days or alternating mornings and afternoons.

Bolivian schools typically do not provide meals, and students go home for lunch and a rest period. However, foreign or private schools that follow the U.S. school year often provide meals and extracurricular programs.

Primary education for children aged 6 to 13 is free and compulsory, though attendance can be challenging to enforce in certain areas. Secondary education, which lasts up to 4 years, is not mandatory. The majority of schools are state-supported, but private institutions are also permitted.

School uniforms are commonly required, with a typical uniform consisting of a white shirt and blue pants or skirts. Some secondary schools may also require separate sports uniforms.

School meals

The ACE programme provides meals to schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 15. The diet includes quinoa grains and high-protein amaranth, which are typical of the South American Andean region. This initiative has resulted in a significant reduction in anaemia among school-going children, with positive impacts on their overall health and nutritional habits.

The success of the ACE programme has influenced a new law framed by the Bolivian government. This law emphasises the nutritional value of local produce and bans packaged and transgenic food in schools. It encourages the consumption of traditional Andean alternatives, which can be grown and produced locally, such as bananas, Andean grains, and local varieties of fruits.

The demand for natural, homegrown produce has boosted local agriculture and organised farmers into cooperatives and companies. The programme has contributed to the health and economic well-being of the local community, setting a model that can be replicated in other regions.

In addition to the ACE programme, some schools in Bolivia also offer snacks and beverages for sale during breaks. These may include sandwiches, empanadas, candy, and soda, and students often receive allowances to purchase these items. However, it is recommended that children bring food from home to ensure a more nutritious and balanced diet.

School transport

Public buses are a common mode of transport for students, with some taking a "trufi" (a kind of bus) to school. However, public transport in Santa Cruz has been described as challenging, with crowded buses and long commutes. To address this issue, bus fares for students are subsidised. Some children from rural areas can be seen walking to school alone or in small groups, while others may receive a lift from their parents or caregivers if a car is available.

In terms of private transport, a small number of students may have a family chauffeur. This is more common among wealthier families, as seen in the example of a student from La Paz who had a family chauffeur and also attended a private school.

It is worth noting that Bolivia has a diverse range of economic statuses, and transport options may differ significantly between families of varying financial means.

School uniform

In rural areas, the school uniform culture is less prevalent. For instance, in the village of Mizque, students do not necessarily have to attend school and often help with household chores or work in the fields, so uniforms are not a priority.

Extracurricular activities

In Bolivian schools, the school day typically ends at around 12:00 or 1:00 PM, and children go home to have lunch with their families. After lunch, children usually rest for a few hours. Later in the afternoon, they may return to school for extracurricular activities like soccer or dance.

One former student of a private Catholic school in Santa Cruz recalled that every child had to do an extracurricular activity such as theatre, art, sports, or dance. She chose band, which practised in the afternoon after school. In the cities, it is common for children to take additional lessons outside of school, such as sports, dance, or language classes.

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