The U.S. Office of Education has undertaken the preparation of a series of basic studies on education in a number of Central and South American countries under the sponsorship of the Interdepartmental Committee on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation. This series of studies is part of a program to promote understanding of educational conditions in the American countries and to encourage cooperation in the field of Inter-American education. The project, a part of a Government-wide program of cultural cooperation under the auspices of the Department of State, was begun in the fall of 1943. This document is based on data gathered by the author in Guatemala in 1944 and 1945 and supplemented since then by documentary study. Following a foreword, the following chapters are included: (1) Introduction; (2) Educational development; (3) Elementary education; (4) Secondary, normal, technical, and special education; and (5) Higher education. A bibliography is included. (Contains 7 tables.) [Best copy available has been provided.]