The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) in Costa Rica has launched a new national training process for all staff in educational centers across the country. The program, which began on February 9 and will continue until February 20, marks the first time that the start of the academic year is preceded by two weeks of nationwide professional development.
Nearly 88,000 teachers, technical educators, administrative staff, and support personnel are expected to participate in these simultaneous training sessions throughout Costa Rica. The initiative was inaugurated on Monday at the videoconference rooms of the Institute for Professional Development.
Leonardo Sánchez Hernández, Minister of Public Education, emphasized the vital role played by education professionals: “In each classroom, in each office, in each cafeteria, in every educational center, there are people who sustain the country every day, often without applause and without cameras.”
He added: “For many years the beginning of the school year has been an urgency, a stress, and the system started without space to prepare well. For the first time in history the school year begins thinking about you. These two weeks are not a formality; they are not a burden; they are a message that you matter. This is for the teacher who enters the classroom with vocation, for the principal who carries a community and together makes this work,” Sánchez Hernández said while expressing gratitude for their trust and commitment to public education.
The training content is endorsed by the Uladislao Gámez Solano Institute for Professional Development (IDP-UGS), coordinated with Regional Education Directorates and strategic partners from within the education sector. The first week covers general topics such as violence prevention, healthy coexistence and peace culture, Law 9999 to prevent revictimization, mental health, digital citizenship and more. In its second week, training will focus on specific areas relevant to each participant’s job function.
The program also includes specialized modules for indigenous territories as well as security personnel and School Boards. Participation is mandatory and includes self-guided courses without tutors.
This measure is based on both national and international analyses—among them results from the OECD’s TALIS study—which highlight how important it is to strengthen ongoing professional development for educators.
Official classes will begin on Monday February 23 after this competency-strengthening phase concludes.
The opening ceremony was broadcast live online at this link.
The Ministry also presented details about Academic Year 2026 under its motto: “School shapes us, writing drives us forward and values guide us.”
Additionally, inter-institutional coordination among MEP and other agencies such as MICITT (Ministry of Science), IMAS (Social Assistance Institute), SUTEL/FONA will benefit over 16,000 students through joint services.
To honor poet Jorge Debravo’s birthday—a leading figure in Costa Rican literature—the Day of Poetry continues to be celebrated nationally every year since its establishment by executive decree No. 25134-C in 1996.
The International Day of Education is also observed annually to recognize education’s role in promoting peace and development worldwide.
On February 5th, MEP opened applications for post-secondary scholarships via its Digital Regionalization Module (ReDi). Applicants can apply online starting at 7:00 am at this site, with requirements detailed in official document DVM-A-DPE-UB-0002-2026.pdf available on MEP’s website. The application period runs from January 19 to February 27.
Furthermore, MEP’s Department of Electronic Documentation & Information announced its new website at ddie.mep.go.cr.
MEP has also invested significantly in 19 schools selected jointly with the Costa Rican Sports Institute as part of preparations for Limón National Sports Games 2026—a result of a public-public partnership between both institutions.
