In 2022, the results of the PISA academic international test by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed a troubling reality for El Salvador. The country’s students scored among the lowest in the region, highlighting a significant educational challenge. However, this disheartening news has been met with a bold and inspiring response from the Salvadoran government. Early in 2022, they embarked on an ambitious project to revolutionize education. One of the many measures was constructing the most extensive and modern public library in Central America.

Now open to the public, this state-of-the-art library stands as a beacon of hope for El Salvador’s educational future. It is not just a repository of books but a symbol of the nation’s commitment to elevating its academic standards and providing better opportunities for its students.

However, as Toby Muse highlights in this report, the modern library is located in the capital city of San Salvador. In rural areas, access to education remains challenging for numerous low-income families. This report explores the difficulties that El Salvador has encountered in enhancing its education system.