Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Costa Rica Education Profile 2012

Costa Rica: Costa Rica Education Profile 2012

2012/03/06

          更多  

 

 

 

Costa Rica Education Profile 2012

There is a complex but incomplete set of public and private institutions for basic, secondary and tertiary education. Significant shortcomings exist in the area of research and development. Total spending on education is 8.9% of GDP. Public education spending was 5.9% of GDP in 2005. The 5th Informe del Estado de la Nación indicates that private spending in education is around 3% of GDP. In November 2008, the Legislative Assembly approved the government’s 2009 budget, which contained a rise of 15% in education spending compared to 2008, resulting in a share of 6.2% of expected GDP in 2009. That the average completed years of schooling remains at just 8.7 (2007) suggests that the education system is not doing enough to encourage the young to stay in school. Spending on research and development is low: Ministry of Science and Technology (Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, MICIT) figures suggest that it was only 0.38% in 2003 and 2004, the years for which the latest figures are available.

The education system in Costa Rica consists of three main levels. It is a duty of every citizen and an obligation to receive education, as such it is free and obligatory by law.
Contents

Education in the Costa Rican Constitution

The literacy rate in Costa Rica is of 96% (CIA World Fact Book, February 2007), one of the highest in Latin America, and both elementary and high schools are found throughout the country in practically every community. This literacy rate is based on "The percentage of people aged 15+ who can, with understanding, both read and write a short, simple statement related to their everyday life (UN Common Database (UNESCO))."

According to art. 78 of the Constitution:

"Preschool education and general basic education are compulsory but not enforced. Though the system is said to be free, many cannot afford the required uniforms and rural schools have no books for students. The length of time daily spent in school is 3.5 hours since the school class schedule is divided into two sessions in order to accommodate the students. These levels and the diversified education level are, in the public system, free and supported by the Nation. Public expenditure in State education, including higher education, shall not be less than six percent (6%) per annum of the gross domestic product, in accordance with the law, without detriment to the provisions of Articles 84 and 85 of this Constitution. The State shall facilitate the pursuit of higher studies by persons who lack monetary resources. The Ministry of Public Education, through the organization established by law, shall be in charge of awarding scholarships and assistance."

History of education in Costa Rica

Since the 1840s, it was clearly expressed in the Constitution and by various presidents, such as Dr José María Castro Madriz, that education was the means by which the democratic culture would be fostered, and that it was the duty of the state to provide those means.

The greatest impulse was given under Mauro Fernández, minister of Education, in the years 1887 and 1888, in favor of free schooling. Fernández continued the effort throughout the rest of that century. umm... idk the rest

School

Divided in six year grades. It covers all the basic knowledge in mathematics, social studies, language (Spanish) and science, as well as some minor topics as music, religion, physical health and arts.

High School

There are only a few of schools in Costa Rica that go beyond the 12th grade. Those schools that finish at 11th grade receive a Costa Rican Bachillerato Diploma accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. Schools that offer classes to the 12th grade offer either the International Baccalaureate Diploma, accredited by the IBO in Geneva, Switzerland or USA High School Diploma, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

University

Depends on specialty. There are four public universities in Costa Rica:

* Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)
* Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica (ITCR)
* Universidad Nacional Autónoma (UNA)
* Universidad Nacional Estatal a Distancia (UNED)

There are also several private universities:

* Instituto Centroamericano de Administracion de Empresas (INCAE)
* United Nations University for Peace
* Universidad de EARTH
* Universidad de Iberoamerica (UNIBE)
* Universidad Autónoma de Centroamérica (UACA)
* Universidad Católica de Costa Rica
* Universidad Latina de Costa Rica
* Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnología (ULACIT)
 

Attached files: