The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors has approved new funding to support Costa Rica in enhancing foundational learning, digital competencies, and employability skills for students in public primary and secondary schools. The initiative, known as the "Costa Rica Results in Education" project, is set to benefit one million students, with a focus on improving learning outcomes and digital skills.
This project will also provide access to pedagogical platforms for 90,000 teachers and administrative staff within the education system. Additionally, approximately 18,000 employees of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) will be equipped with digital tools. Specific groups such as students in technical programs and Indigenous, migrant, and refugee students will also receive benefits from these enhancements.
Finance Minister Nogui Acosta Jaén emphasized the necessity for an educational overhaul that would have a lasting positive impact on students. "Costa Rica needs an overhaul of its education system that will deliver a positive and sustainable impact on students," he stated.
The initiative aims to develop strong reading, comprehension, and numeracy skills among students while investing in digital capabilities through various technological platforms. This aligns with Costa Rica's history as a pioneer in computer science education since the 1980s. The project supports the National Program for Technological Preparedness (PNFT), which includes areas like Algorithms and Programming and Data Science.
Carine Clert, World Bank Country Manager for Costa Rica and El Salvador noted the importance of this collaboration: “We are providing support to the people of Costa Rica through investments that improve opportunities for vulnerable children."
The MEP will implement this project alongside another loan financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This cooperation follows a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at bridging the region's education digital divide. The operation is backed by a US$200 million variable rate loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), featuring a maturity period of 33.5 years with six years' grace.