Alfredo Stroessner came to power in Paraguay in 1954 under a military coup. He remained dictator until 1989.

He suspended constitutional and civil rights.

His rule was based on a cult of personality. All public buildings were adorned with his portraits.

His voice and opinions dominated the airwaves.

His party, the Colorado Party dominated all parts of Paraguayan life.

All state jobs (like nurse, teacher, and civil servant) were reserved for Party members. 

Treatment in state hospital was reserved for Party members.

If someone wanted to engage in any business or social activity, they could only do it through the Colorado Party.

Corruption was part of every part of Paraguayan life.

Activities such as drug trafficking were not illegal, simply controlled by the Colorado party.

The party acted more like the Mafia than a political party.

Opposition to Stroessner and the Colorado Party was ruthlessly dealt with. Protests were met with long term imprisonment and brutal torture.

Many opposition members simply disappeared and were never seen again. 

Colorado party spies were everywhere. 

If someone were labelled a revolutionary, communist or some such disapproved term, the end would be brutal.

Many envious neighbours simply named their neighbours to the authorities just to get petty revenge.

So between 1954 and 1989 parents didn't waste their children's time on education. They simply encouraged them  to find a party member who could make them rich or powerful.

Strangely when Stroessner was removed by a military coup, many people missed him. 

His control of all media outlets had been total. He had created a siege mentality that the rest of the world threatened Paraguayans and only the Colorado Party could protect them.