Fulfilling all of the necessary requirements of primary schooling is not always possible for children because of the crucial need to work and provide for their families while living in the poor economic conditions in many developing countries, especially in Guatemala. This need to contribute to the family income helps explain the substantial gaps between the level of education of the rich and poor children within Guatemala. The enforcement of attending school is very lax, with one out of every five children ages seven to thirteen not enrolled in school. Primary schooling is meant to provide a child with a fundamental understanding of math, reading, and writing. Children are legally required to complete six years of schooling, between the ages of seven and fourteen, after which they may remove themselves from the education system. Trained teachers, inadequate school buildings, and long distances from home to school for many students.

The effectiveness of the educational system in Guatemala is limited by a shortage of trained teachers, inadequate school buildings, and long distances from home to school for many students. The shortage of teachers is a particular concern among students Guatemala. In the investigation by Martin Woodhead, one participant said, "Teachers often lie to us. They say, we are going to come such-and-such a day and then they do not come after all." The amount of schooling is considerably lower in rural communities of Guatemala because children are usually employed in the farming industry and educational facilities are available. Five years of school is considered the prerequisite for literacy, yet the dropout ratio of students in their fifth year of schooling is enormous at fifty percent. With these types of statistics, it is clear that the education system in Guatemala is severely lacking, and needs much improvement.