The latest PISA assessment confirms that Costa Rica, Panama and the Dominican Republic, the only countries in the region to appear in its ranking, are far from the average results obtained by the OECD group of nations.
Although in the last ten years the average expenditure per primary and secondary student increased by about 15% in OECD countries, most of their states do not report significant progress in education.
Although Costa Rica invests almost 7% of GDP in education, spending efficiency is some of the worst when compared to other countries globally.
In its 2018 Annual Report, the Comptroller's Office of the Republic of Costa Rica carried out an analysis of the investment made by the State in public education versus the efficiency of spending, which is measured in the development of the skills of the student population.
Central Americans and other Latin Americans are feeling more concerned about what Trump can say or do, than over the only thing that can really change the fate of poverty in the region, which is education.
EDITORIAL
The recently published results of the PISA tests confirm that in the best case, these countries maintain positions midway down the table of global results, and in the worst case have fallen in the objective measurement of quality of the most important resource for economic and social development, people and their cognitive abilities.
Despite its development in advanced countries, including the more established social democracies, dual education is fundamentally opposed by those who will always be threatened by any changes.
EDITORIAL
As with education unions throughout Latin America, where there is an imperative need for radical changes in education systems which are increasingly lagging behind the rest of the world, in Costa Rica the corporation of education workers is radically opposed to any changes, even those that have proven successful in countries with political systems focused on social welfare such as the European social democracies, as is dual education.
The private sector is proposing that universities develop courses at a technical level in areas such as electronics or hospitality, rather than just focusing on higher level academic degrees and diplomas.
This shift in the educational system which it is hoped will happen in universities would need to be a public-private joint effort, since, according to presidential advisor Bayardo Arce, "...
The unemployment rate now reaches 10% in a population where 60% of workers have not completed high school, but teachers refuse to be evaluated on their ability in subjects they teach.
EDITORIAL
An article in Nacion.com cites statements by Victor Morales, Minister of Labour, on the rising unemployment levels in Costa Rica: "...There is a mismatch between supply and demand in the corporate sector. There is a demand for skilled technicians; but most of the Costa Rican labor force is unskilled. 60% have not finished high school; it is a national drama. "
In Costa Rica the 14% increase in funds for state universities has generated discussion even within the sector, over which stages of education produces better results from investment in terms of economic performance and social justice.
EDITORIAL
The analyst Francisco Villalobos in his article on Crhoy.com reports on the data regarding investments made by middle class families in the education of their children, noting that "the budget increase demanded by universities should be directed towards primary and secondary education therefore the state can support families when they most need support. "
Adpoting the PISA tests as a basic tool for the management of education systems is essential if you want to push back the boundaries of underdevelopment.
EDITORIAL
It is not uncommon to hear from officials in Latin American educational corporations that the PISA assessment system is "unfair" because it compares results with those obtained in advanced countries.
More jobs and less poverty is the refrain of Central American politicians, while they say little or nothing about education, without which there are no jobs nor wealth generation.
EDITORIAL
Even in Costa Rica, where its educational system during the past century allowed the country to reach higher development levels than its neighbors, education is not a priority issue in the election campaign which is in full swing, despite the fact that the Costa Rican public education system is visibly losing more and more students as parents are increasingly opting for private schools and colleges in order to try to secure a decent future for their children.
Enrollment levels at private universities are the same as those in public institutions, and the annual income of some of them is over $30 million.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports: "In recent years these universities have continued to grow, not only in new students, for which they account for 48% of the country's total, but also in market share, which demonstrates how much of a big business they have become. "
The Superior Council of Private Enterprise in Nicaragua has created a special commission to promote the reform of the National Technological Institute.
"... We have created a commission at the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) to begin immediate work on the theme of technical education in the National Technological Institute of Nicaragua (Inatec) ...
Companies need to invest time and money in order to cover the serious limitations of graduates from the public school system, which is an obstacle to development.
In Panama the educational problem has already been diagnosed. Martesfinanciero.com reports that the country has at least 14 diagnostic and prognostic documents on education, but "none have managed to be implemented completely to produce students with an optimal or acceptable level of knowledge which allows them to have the skills demanded from the labor market. "
Company managers who consistently lose customers are fired. If the organization is the Ministry of Education, the minister gets re-elected to office.
From 2006 to 2012, fees for private schools in Costa Rica have doubled.
EDITORIAL
An article in Nacion.com reports that in Costa Rica, from 2006 to 2012, the monthly prices for preschool, primary and secondary private schools has doubled, and then goes on to outline the various reasons on the subject put forward by different personalities consulted, from the Education Minister Leonardo Garnier to Genis Michael Murray, president of the Association of Private Schools.
In 2012, CADE will analyze the synergy between education and economy, because in order to have sustained economic growth it is necessary to have quality education and an emphasis on labor market requirements.
CADE is a conclave or annual summit meeting of executives and entrepreneurs in general, from across the country which brings together all members of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE), with active participation of all Chapters and whose main purpose is to discuss, analyze and seek solutions to national problems.