The quality that the school system has today will determine the quality and development that the economy can achieve tomorrow.
Panama's decision to re-join the group of countries which every three years submit their education systems to the PISA test run by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) will determine any lags that may exist in the model of education in respect to developed countries, and lay the foundation for analyzing the changes that need to be made to increase the capacity of analysis and understanding of students today, for better socio-economic development in the future.
In Central America, the youth unemployment rate is estimated at over 24%, while in Germany, where the dual education is practiced, youth unemployment is 6%.
A visit to Costa Rica by the German Education Minister has put back on the table the concept of dual education, an education method where time is shared between the traditional classroom and work as an apprentice in a trade or professional specialty, in a company.
Dual education is a system which corrects the permanent discrepancy that exists between centralized education and labor supply, reducing youth unemployment and increasing the productivity of economies.
EDITORIAL
The use of professional training is the foundation for the success of Germany's productivity, and has been adopted in most European countries, with particular strength in Austria and Switzerland. In Germany it has helped the country to maintain a low rate of youth unemployment and has ensured a supply of technical experts for their companies and from this the competitiveness of the German economy has increased.
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.
While in the rest of the world the standard is close connections between the private sector and academia, the region is still holding on to old ideological myths, which negatively affect development.
On inaugurating in El Salvador the II National Congress of Higher Education entitled "Linking Higher Education to the Workplace", the Minister of Education, Franzi Hato Hasbun, noted the need to "carry out a process of connection between company and university , encouraging three fundamental aspects: research, innovation and overcoming social projections. "
State universities should be accountable for the money they spend and how this investment supports national productivity.
Protected by their academic autonomy, educational institutions at tertiary level in Costa Rica are slow and inflexible in adapting to the demands of the Costa Rican economy.
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.
The vast majority of Guatemalan workers have not completed elementary education. The average schooling is 5.6 years.
The results of the National Survey of Employment and Income (ENEI 2010) done by the National Statistics Institute (INE), also reveals that education of Guatemalan workers has not improved over the last six years.
The loan will assist in preservation of health and education in the event of natural disasters.
This emergency project will provide funds to pay salaries of health workers and teachers in the poorest municipalities of the country, assisting in keeping health centers and care facilities operational and to ensure educational coverage for 2.8 million children, while the government uses financial resources for reconstruction efforts.
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