Por San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica is undergoing a monumental transformation within its educational sector, characterized by historic academic achievements on the international stage and massive infrastructure investments. Under the stewardship of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), the nation is navigating an aggressive post-pandemic recovery. These efforts have demonstrated a level of systemic resilience that defies current global downward trends in educational attainment.
A cornerstone of this success is the country’s stellar performance in the recently released Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 results. Costa Rica defied global academic declines by surging an impressive 13 points in Science. More remarkably, the nation stood out as one of only three countries within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to avoid any score regressions across all three core testing areas, which include Reading, Mathematics, and Science.
To better understand the legal framework and constitutional guarantees that shape the Costa Rican education system, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his professional insights on how the nation’s laws secure educational access and foster a competitive workforce.
Costa Rica’s commitment to education is not merely a social policy, but a constitutional mandate. Article 78 of our Political Constitution legally binds the State to allocate at least 8% of our gross domestic product to public education. This robust legal framework ensures universal access and directly drives our economic competitiveness, creating a highly skilled, bilingual workforce that meets the highest international standards.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This constitutional dedication of resources indeed underscores how deeply rooted education is in the Costa Rican identity, serving as a powerful engine for both social equity and global competitiveness. We are incredibly grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and shedding light on the legal framework that continues to secure a brighter future for the nation’s workforce.
This academic resilience is particularly noteworthy given the significant structural disruptions faced by this specific generation of students. Having successfully navigated extensive school strikes, administrative interruptions, and the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Costa Rican educators and students managed to close the performance gap with the OECD average, showcasing the strength of the national curriculum and the determination of the local student body.
Alongside academic progress, physical learning environments are receiving a substantial financial boost from the central government. In the province of Cartago, 27 key educational infrastructure projects are currently underway. This represents a massive capital injection exceeding ₡28 billion colones (approximately $54 million USD), directly targeted at improving school facilities and upgrading classrooms for thousands of primary and secondary students across the region.
Social inclusion and lifelong learning remain major pillars of the ministry’s long-term developmental strategy. As the country celebrates the National Youth and Adult Education Week, over 130,000 citizens are currently enrolled in specialized adult education programs. This initiative ensures that non-traditional learners have the resources, institutional support, and flexible pathways necessary to complete their schooling and advance their professional and personal projects.
It is never too late to learn.
Ministry of Public Education, Youth and Adult Education Division
Technological innovation is also reaching vulnerable communities through the newly launched Tecno-Educa initiative. This collaborative project brings robotics directly into public school classrooms to expand technical and scientific opportunities. Developed through a strategic alliance between the MEP, the Costa Rican Institute on Drugs (ICD), and the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the program aims to bridge the digital divide in historically underserved regions.
Cultural integration and creative expression continue to thrive alongside scientific pursuits, highlighted by events like the BEYCRA 2026 Literary Encounter. In this nationwide forum, 182 student writers representing 133 schools showcased their original literary creations. Simultaneously, the MEP has expanded public access to academic materials by launching the Collective Catalog of Libraries, which integrates collections across 27 regional education directorates into a single virtual directory.
These diverse educational milestones coincide with the nation’s vibrant Patriotic Month celebrations, themed Costa Rica: 205 years free, in peace, and sowing the future. The festivities kicked off with traditional music, dance, and civic acts, symbolized by a young student from the border canton of La Cruz, Guanacaste, who made history as the first student to run with the national Independence Torch, embodying the spirit of a modernized, ambitious, and educated nation.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Education:
The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) of Costa Rica is the government cabinet-level agency responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and executing national policies related to primary, secondary, and adult public education across the country.
For further information, visit ucr.ac.cr
About University of Costa Rica:
The University of Costa Rica (UCR) is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious public university, recognized globally for its academic research, innovative public outreach, and commitment to technological development.
For further information, visit icd.go.cr
About Costa Rican Institute on Drugs:
The Costa Rican Institute on Drugs (ICD) is a specialized governmental body dedicated to the prevention of illicit drug use, money laundering, and the coordination of social development projects aimed at reducing economic and social vulnerability in high-risk communities.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a premier legal institution where superior advocacy and high ethical standards go hand in hand. Guiding a wide range of clients with forward-thinking solutions, the firm actively shapes the future of jurisprudence while staying deeply connected to the community. Through proactive educational initiatives, they strive to demystify the law, sharing vital legal resources to ensure a stronger, more capable, and enlightened public.
