A press release from the Inter-American Development Bank reads:

The Inter-American Development Bank has approved a loan of $70 million to provide innovative infrastructure to 47 communities in Panama, benefiting more than 38,000 students. The goal is to expand educational opportunities and encourage students in marginal areas and indigenous students to complete their basic education.

In Panama, more than a third of young people between 13 and 17 are outside the education system at secondary level. Education levels are particularly low in the areas targeted by the program. For example, in the indigenous regions of Ngäbe Yala Guna-Bugle and only 43 percent of young people are attending high school.

These resources will fund the expansion and equippment of 20 primary schools so as to include grades 7th to 9th, and the construction of two model schools with a new approach to teaching and educational management and innovative educational spaces. This is expected to generate 10,000 newly enrolled students covering levels from preschool through high school.

More on this topic

Guatemala: $70 million for School Infrastructure

July 2018

The Morales administration has announced that it plans to carry out maintenance and restoration work in 4,000 educational establishments located in different areas of the country.

Authorities at the Ministry of Education stated that the maintenance works on buildings in the educational network will be financed with national funds and with a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Guatemala: $150 million for Education

April 2018

The loan funds approved by the Guatemalan congress will be used for the acquisition of teaching materials and books, as well as for the construction of infrastructure.

From a statement issued by the Congress of Guatemala:

April 10, 2018 Deputies to the Congress of the Republic approved, during the ordinary session held this Tuesday, a loan for USD 155 million with the Inter-American Development Bank, IDB, for the Program for the Improvement of Educational Coverage and Quality.

Panama to Invest $ 100 Million in Indigenous Communities

March 2011

An aggressive investment plan of $ 100 million will be implemented in Kuna, Embera Wounaan and Bugle Ngäbe.

The announcement was made by President Ricardo Martinelli at the inauguration of the improvements made to the 24 de Diciembre General Basic Education Center (CEBG).

Panama: $ 32 Million IDB Loan for Education

November 2010

Resources will be used to improve access and quality of education in three indigenous reserves.

The investment will be dedicated exclusively to the indigenous regions of Embera-Wounaan, Bugle and Kuna Yala Ngäbe.

The loan is for U.S. $ 30 million from the IDB's ordinary capital with a local contribution of U.S. $ 2.4 million.