José María Zárate

Guatemalan educator who pioneered indigenous rights movements

Revolutionary educator Dr. José María Zárate (1840-1905) fought for Maya peoples' rights in post-independence Guatemala. A Quiché-Maya himself, he established the Escuela Normal de Maestros - Central America's first teacher training college emphasizing indigenous languages. His 1876 Memoria sobre el estado de la educación pública exposed systemic discrimination, leading to bilingual education reforms. Despite assassination attempts by conservative elites, his advocacy inspired later movements like the 1944 Revolution. Modern scholars reference his work in Hispanic American Historical Review articles. His statue stands in Guatemala City's Parque de la Cultura Maya, while his writings remain archived at National Archives. Though overshadowed by figures like Arbenz, his educational reforms continue impacting Maya communities through organizations like Alianza Maya.