The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) has announced updates to school uniforms for the 2026 academic year. The new guidelines apply to both primary and secondary education, with some changes in design and options.
For primary students, the uniform will consist of a white unisex polo shirt. Girls can choose between a skirt, skirt-pants, or long or knee-length blue pants. Boys are required to wear long or knee-length blue pants. Footwear includes blue or black socks with black shoes or white, black, gray, or blue sneakers. In vulnerable areas, rubber boots are permitted. Sixth-grade students may wear a distinctive colored polo shirt if approved by their school in advance.
Secondary schools that use traditional uniforms will continue following existing regulations. For girls in secondary school, the uniform includes a loose-fitting blue skirt that reaches one inch below the knee or blue pants, paired with a light blue short-sleeved blouse with a left-side pocket and blue socks. Boys will wear dark blue long pants and a light blue short-sleeved shirt with a left-side pocket and blue socks. Approved footwear is consistent with primary requirements.
Schools that have formally changed their uniform design through proper procedures may continue using those designs, such as specific colored polo shirts and pants or skirts.
Physical education uniforms should include shorts and sports shirts reflecting school colors; alternatively, schools may use their established PE uniforms. Students from indigenous territories are allowed to wear traditional attire as part of their cultural heritage.
Parents are advised to wait for official communication from schools before purchasing uniforms.
These changes are detailed in the Official Uniform Regulations for Public Educational Institutions.
Additionally, MEP has updated enrollment ranges across all levels of public education as part of efforts to place teachers at the center of educational policy and improve learning quality directly.
The start of the 2026 academic year was marked by an event at the Institute for Professional Development’s videoconference rooms. The new school year begins under the theme: “School shapes us, writing drives us forward, and values guide us.”
February 11 marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science—a date established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015—to highlight women’s roles in science and technology fields and encourage participation among girls in STEAM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics).
Costa Rica also celebrates National Poetry Day annually on January 31 to honor poet Jorge Debravo’s birthday under executive decree No. 25134-C since 1996.
International Day of Education is observed each year to recognize education’s role in promoting peace and development worldwide.
On February 5th, 2026, MEP will open its Digital Regionalization Module (ReDi) for postsecondary scholarship applications online via https://mep.go.cr/becas-postsecundaria starting at 7:00 am. This date replaces previously announced deadlines; requirements can be found on MEP’s website within document DVM-A-DPE-UB-0002-2026.pdf. Applications are accepted from January 19 through February 27.
