Canadian education company Maple Bear Global Schools has identified El Salvador as a promising destination for expansion, citing the country’s economic progress, strengthened security climate, and the government’s ambitious Mi Nueva Escuela education reform.
“Now is the ideal time to invest in El Salvador,” said Christian Marulanda, Maple Bear Country Manager, during a recent visit to explore market opportunities and connect with potential investors interested in acquiring Maple Bear bilingual school franchises.
Founded on the Canadian public education model—ranked among the best globally by the OECD’s PISA assessment—Maple Bear currently operates 550 schools across five continents, serving over 60,000 students. Its Latin American footprint includes Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala, with El Salvador now emerging as its next target market.
«Before entering any country, we conduct a thorough analysis of its economic conditions and future outlook,» said Marulanda. «El Salvador stood out with a stable projected GDP growth exceeding 3%, which is a strong indicator for us.»
Marulanda also emphasized the importance of El Salvador’s current educational transformation led by President Nayib Bukele’s administration. “The Mi Nueva Escuela reform and investment in educational technology align closely with Maple Bear’s mission to provide world-class, future-ready education. We are excited about the potential to contribute meaningfully to this national effort,” he noted.
Security improvements in the country were also a decisive factor. “El Salvador’s progress in public safety is viewed positively at the international level and makes it a favorable environment for long-term investment,” Marulanda added.
Maple Bear’s education model ensures early English immersion, alongside comprehensive emotional, social, physical, and academic development—preparing students to navigate a globalized world with confidence.
With its initial market exploration underway, the company expects to open Maple Bear schools in El Salvador in the coming years, joining the country’s broader transformation and offering Salvadoran families access to high-quality bilingual education rooted in Canadian standards.