The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) held a special session of the Government Council on March 20 at the Corrales de piedra de la Casona de Santa Rosa to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Rosa and the National Campaign of 1856-1857. The event honored those who fought for Costa Rica, with officials and students reflecting on the historical significance and ongoing relevance of these events.
The commemoration highlights how moments in national history continue to shape identity and values. Minister of Public Education Leonardo Sánchez Hernández said, “La defensa de nuestro país ya no se libra en un campo de batalla, se libra en las aulas, se libra cuando formamos estudiantes con valores, con disciplina y responsabilidad, se libra cuando dignificamos el trabajo de nuestros docentes, se libra cuando las familias comprenden que la educación comienza en el hogar y se fortalece en la escuela.”
The day included a civic ceremony with participation from students representing Liceo Cuajiniquil de La Cruz, Liceo Rural Bellavista in Santa Cecilia de La Cruz, and IPEC Liberia. Valentina Montoya Quintana from Liceo Experimental Bilingüe La Cruz addressed attendees: “Hoy, la batalla es distinta. Ya no empuñamos armas en una casona, pero debemos luchar por la igualdad, por un ambiente sano y por una educación que nos permita ser personas integrales. El reto de hoy es construir un país donde todos tengamos las mismas oportunidades de crecer.”
Educational activities such as plays, readings, and analyses about this historic event were conducted across schools as part of the academic calendar. From March 16 to 19, workshops were held for 480 students covering topics like the history and biodiversity of Parque Nacional Santa Rosa and traditional construction techniques.
Other recent educational initiatives include a national meeting for coordinators from UNESCO Associated Schools to plan strategic actions for 2026-2029 and collaboration between MEP, ULACIT University, UNESCO, and the United Nations System in Costa Rica on an artificial intelligence guide for teachers. Additionally, STEM Racing Costa Rica reported progress since its launch in 2023 by reaching over 14,000 students through various science and technology activities inspired by Formula 1.
The MEP’s Unit for Educational Permanence and Reincorporation also invited schools to share best practices that support student retention through a QR code initiative. These efforts reflect ongoing commitments to education as a means to build a more equitable society.
