The Ministry of Education marked the 170th anniversary of the Battle of Santa Rosa on March 20 with a special session of the Council of Government held at the historic Hacienda Santa Rosa. The event honored those who fought in the battle, which took place on March 20, 1856, when Costa Rican troops launched a strategic attack that led to a swift victory in just fourteen minutes.
The commemoration serves as a reminder of the importance of national history and collective memory. The Ministry said that respect, admiration, and recognition are given to “the heroes and heroines who dreamed and fought for their homeland.”
In addition to historical remembrance, several educational initiatives were highlighted. Sixty-five coordinators from institutions belonging to UNESCO’s Associated Schools Network (RedPEA) participated in a national meeting earlier this month to plan joint strategies for building peaceful and sustainable futures through transformative education for 2026-2029.
The University Latinoamericana de Ciencia y TecnologÃa (ULACIT) contributed to developing the guide “Artificial Intelligence in Class: A Guide for Teachers,” an initiative led by the Ministry in partnership with UNESCO and the United Nations System in Costa Rica. This project reflects public-private collaboration aimed at fostering innovation in education.
Other activities included celebrating International Francophonie Day, which promotes French language and cultural diversity worldwide since its establishment by the International Organization of La Francophonie in 1970. The Ministry also emphasized support for students identified as having high potential, referencing legal frameworks such as Law No. 8899, Law No. 10080, and Executive Decree No. 38808-MEP that ensure appropriate educational opportunities tailored to their needs.
STEM Racing Costa Rica presented updates on its program inspired by Formula 1’s international model, reporting that since its launch in 2023 it has reached over 14,000 students through educational tours and competitions across Costa Rica.
Finally, the Ministry’s Unit for Educational Permanence and Reincorporation invited schools to share best practices promoting student retention via a QR code initiative.
