Deep in rural La Huasteca along the Gulf of Mexico, life has taken an unexpected turn for young Carolina. At just eight years old, she lives with her mother and stepfather in a humble indigenous community, where the lush greenery and livestock are now overshadowed by the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since March 2020, when Mexico declared a health emergency and schools closed their doors, Carolina has missed almost a year of formal education. Instead of sitting in a classroom, her days are filled with helping her mother with chores and caring for chickens and pigs.
In August, the Mexican government introduced a new plan: broadcasting classes on national television and radio to reach the country’s 30 million students. However, this solution doesn't reach everyone. In 2019, only 56% of Mexican households had internet access, and while 92.5% had televisions, about 14 million people, mostly in rural and indigenous areas, still lack this essential resource.
Carolina’s school in Aquismon has adapted by sending out worksheets every Monday. Since fewer than half of the students have access to a TV, Carolina and her mother walk two kilometers to school weekly to receive feedback and new assignments from her teacher.
\"The teacher said we should find a TV, but how are we going to get one if no one lends it to us to do the homework?\" Carolina's mother, Dominga, shared her frustrations. Like many parents in her community, she's deeply concerned about the long-term effects on her child's education, especially since she can’t teach her third-grader and is still learning Spanish herself.
Carolina’s story highlights a broader issue: the pandemic has widened the educational gap for children in rural Mexico, making it harder for them to keep up with their studies and secure a bright future.
