In the context of the protests and blockades that have been affecting Costa Rica for several days, the businessmen denounce that there are millions of losses, mainly in tourism, exports, and agricultural, industrial and commercial activities.
The Costa Rican Ministry of Education used part of a $167 million trust, originally earmarked for the construction of 79 schools, to pay for sanctions imposed by the IADB because of a delay in the execution of those works.
Around $1.7 million was what the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) used to pay the sanction that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) imposed on it for not executing the $167.5 million trust within the established timeframe, money which had been allocated for building 79 educational centers and 24 roofed sports courts.
Why insist on making students learn French instead of applying the resources invested in teaching this language to other languages that are more in demand by the market such as English, Portuguese, German or Mandarin?
EDITORIAL
The design of school and college curriculums is supposed to be primarily based on the objectives of the political social project being promoted by the government, which should prioritise preparing students for incorporation into the national economy, complemented by cultural elements which should cover the ENTIRE population of the country.
The Omar Dengo Foundation is putting out to tender a supply of computers and related equipment for 229 schools in Costa Rica.
Government Purchase 2016PP-000001 Costa Rica-FOD:
'Acquisition of computer equipment and related equipment for 299 schools operating under the National Program of Educational Informatics of the Ministry of Public Education and the Omar Dengo Foundation (PRONIE MEP-FOD) with its warranties and support services."
A bill put forward by the Ministry of Education proposes overseeing the quality of subjects taught by private institutions and forcing them to revise their curricula every five years.
From a statement issued by the presidency of Costa Rica:
Government proposes amendments to law regulating private higher education
· MEP urges changes to increase the quality of education and improve administrative processes by the CONESUP
With funds from the IDB managed in a trust by Banco Nacional, the Ministry of Education will build new schools.
Banco Nacional (BN) will be responsible for managing a trust worth $167.5 million to be used for the construction of 79 schools and 24 recreational areas. The loan was granted by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The only thing now pending is approval from the Attorney General of the Republic for the start of construction, which it is hoped will start in the middle of the year.
Businessmen who struggle everyday to keep their businesses going should keep this topic in mind when being asked to pay more taxes.
No economy that wants to be competitive can support the idea that the average number of sick days taken by workers at its main port terminal is 29.7 per year.
Of course these are state employees. And of course the union of these workers, doesn't want to know anything about privatization nor have private companies performing the same tasks.
The Ministry of Education has announced the construction of 79 schools and 24 sports centers.
The works will be financed through a trust of $164 million to be given to the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), and which is being discussed in the Legislative Assembly.
The works will take five years to complete after approval for the trust has been granted, and they will be carried out throughout the country.
President Chinchilla introduced the "Digital Social Agreement", which promises broadband "solidarity", connectivity and digital technologies for education and the strengthening of the Digital Government.
The plan will be financed with funds from FONATEL, which has recently been enlarged by payments made for frequency rights by new cell phone companies entering the market.
In Costa Rica, institutions are promoting banking and financial education to increase use of services.
Buying and selling shares in the markets and learning about what goes on in a bank are some of the activities that can be done online thanks to the efforts of organizations like the National Stock Exchange and the Superintendency of Securities.
These two institutions and the Costa Rican Chamber of banks are promoting financial education in the country through interactive programs that can be accessed on the internet.