Enhancing Access to Quality Education in Paraguay
Paraguay, a country of nearly seven million people, faces numerous socioeconomic challenges. In its capital, Asunción, one in five residents lives in slums, and underemployment remains high. These economic struggles are closely tied to persistent issues in the education system. While the first twelve years of education in Paraguay are mandatory and free, access and quality remain significant concerns. According to a 2017 household survey, around 280,000 adults are still illiterate. Only 45% of students complete sixth grade, and the average level of education among adults is just six years. Additionally, between 2012 and 2016, almost 107,000 youths aged 13 to 17 dropped out of the education system, and approximately 10% of children still have no access to schooling. Government-run schools are often overcrowded and under-resourced.
In 2017, in response to these longstanding challenges, the Paraguayan government announced a comprehensive education reform. This included increased investment in school infrastructure, support for technical high school programs, and the integration of modern educational technologies. A key component of this initiative was the deployment of the C3 Micro-Cloud, a solution made possible through a strategic partnership between Critical Links and CELEXX, a provider of integrated IT services and networking solutions.
Since the project’s launch, 962 schools across Paraguay have received the C3 Micro-Cloud, positively impacting the lives of more than half a million students. The C3 Micro-Cloud creates a secure, localized digital learning environment that includes a robust content repository and powerful e-learning tools. Teachers and students connect via Wi-Fi to the local C3 Micro-Cloud, gaining access to a full cloud-based educational ecosystem. Once content—such as textbooks, media, guides, tests, and other learning resources—is cached on the C3 Micro-Cloud, it remains accessible at all times, even without internet connectivity. With built-in battery backup, students can continue learning uninterrupted, even in areas with unstable or no power supply.
Teachers have praised the C3 Micro-Cloud as a gateway to a better future, highlighting how technology enhances their ability to teach and improves student retention. The platform offers additional materials and methodologies that have significantly enriched the learning experience. As one teacher shared:
“Wikipedia, YouTube, and virtual textbooks are now part of our daily routine! The C3 Micro-Cloud is raising the quality of education in our classrooms, and we’re excited to elevate education in our country and prepare our students for the future.”
Students, too, have expressed enthusiasm, noting that classes have become more engaging through videos, podcasts, and educational games. They now feel there is real hope for a better future—they are no longer left behind on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Critical Links, through the C3 Micro-Cloud, is ensuring that all students—regardless of their location or limitations—have access to quality education. This initiative not only strengthens learning but also helps empower students economically and personally, ultimately contributing to Paraguay’s broader development.
And this is just the beginning. The project is still being rolled out to schools across the country, and we can’t wait to see the continued transformation in the lives of both teachers and students.
