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EDUCATION IN COSTA RICA

The education system in Costarica consists of three main levels.It is a duty of every citizen and an obligation to receive education, as such education  free and obligatory by law.






Education in the Costa Rican Constitution

The education  rate in Costa Rica is 96%(CIA World Fact Book,February2007), one of the highest in Latin America,and elementary as well as high schools are found throughout the country in virtually every community.That literacy rate is based on "The percentage of people aged 15+ who can,with understanding,both read and write a short simple statement related to their daily life(UN Common Database(UNESCO))."
According to art 78 of the Constitution

"Preschool education and general basic education are compulsory but not enforced.Though the education  is said to be free ,many cannot afford the required uniforms and rural schools have no books for students of their education.The length of time daily spent is 3.5 hours since the school class schedule is divided into two sessions in order to accomodate the students.Those levels and the diversified education level are,in the public system,free and supported by National Public Expenditure in State education,including higher education,shall not be less than six percent(6%) per annum of the gross domestic product,pursuant to law,not withstanding the provisions of Articles 84 and 85 of this Constitution.The State shall facilitate the pusuit of higher education  by persons who lack monetary resources.The Ministry of Public Education,through the organization established by law,shall be incharge of awarding scholarships and assistance.

Private schools

There are also private schools and high schools in the country for student education, which follows the basic guidelines of Ministry of Public Education,and are able to give extended class periods,more topics,extra activities,and day-care services the public system lacks.
Some offer education with a US cuurculum and English language.Oppurtunities available to students for education  in private schools is the chance to take the SAT exams or partake and receive the IB diploma through special education in their Junior and Senior years of education.
Here are some private schools of education
  • American International School
  • Green Life Academy,Playa Del Coco
  • Costa Rica COuntry Day School
  • Lincoln School
  • St.Marys
  • The British School of Costa Rica
  • European School
  • Humboldt schule

University

For education there there are five public universities in Costa Rica

  • Instituto Technologico de Costa Rica(ITCR)
  • Universidad de Costa Rica(UCR)
  • Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica (UNA)
  • Universidad Nacional Estatal a Distancia(UNED)
  • Universidad Tecnica Nacional de Costa Rica(UTN)
Public universities offer degree education  according to their speciality and by law,and manage their own central and reginal campus.BY Costa Rican law,two different public universities may not offer the same degree education
There are also several private universities of education
  • Instituto Centroamericano de Administracion de Empresas(INCAE)
  • Universidad Adventista de Centroamerica(UNADECA)
  • United Nations University for Peace
  • Universidad de EARTH
  • Universidad de Iberoamerica(UNIBE)
  • Universidad de Autonamade Centroamerica(UACA)
  • Universidad  Catolica de Costa Rica
  • Universidad Latina de Costa Rica
  • Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnologia(ULACIT)
  • Universidad Santa Paula