[Decree No. 12-91, the National Education Law, January 1991. Excerpts]. / Decreto numero 12-91, Ley de educacion nacional.

PIP: This Decree sets forth Guatemala's National Education Law. Among the guiding principles of the Law are the following: a) human beings have an inherent right to education, and the state is required to provide this education; and b) education must be provided with respect to the dignity of human beings and in fulfillment of human rights. To this end, the Decree describes the various levels of education in Guatemala, including primary education, pre-primary education, and secondary education. It also enumerates the obligations that the state undertakes with respect to education. Among these are: a) the provision of free and compulsory education for all children up to a level to be set by future decree; b) the provision of education free from any kind of discrimination; c) the provision of literacy programs as a matter of urgency; and d) the creation of programs of support and protection for mothers before and after giving birth. In addition, the Decree obligates parents to send their children to school.^ieng