In the middle of a jungle in Panama, you might come across an indigenous community’s rural village. Although indigenous communities greatly vary across Panama, what is immediately noticeable is their shared respect for nature and the environment. Indigenous communities in Panama play a significant role in sustaining the diversity of the cultural and biological landscape. Nonetheless, they are still confronted by societal marginalization, poverty, and inadequate resources and access to education. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these existing challenges, particularly due to the closing of schools, affecting students, teachers, and local communities.
Due to deeply rooted socio-cultural norms and practices that have become institutionalized in society and the educational system, indigenous learners have limited opportunities to access, remain in, and complete their education. The lockdown and quarantine made going to school impossible for both students and teachers.