The Ministry of Education held a special session of the Government Council at the stone corrals of the Casona de Santa Rosa on March 20 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Rosa and honor those who fought in the National Campaign of 1856-1857.
This event is significant as it serves to remember and recognize the heroes and heroines who contributed to shaping Costa Rica’s history. The commemoration included civic activities with students from several local schools, highlighting the importance of education in preserving national values.
Minister of Public Education Leonardo Sánchez Hernández said, “There are moments in a country’s history that define who we are, and Santa Rosa was one of them, but it is our responsibility to continue fighting for the defense of Costa Rica: ‘The defense of our country is no longer fought on a battlefield; it is fought in classrooms, when we educate students with values, discipline, and responsibility; when we dignify teachers’ work; when families understand that education begins at home and is strengthened at school.’”
Student Valentina Montoya Quintana from Liceo Experimental Bilingüe La Cruz addressed participants by saying, “Today, the battle is different. We no longer wield weapons in a house, but we must fight for equality, for a healthy environment and for an education that allows us to be well-rounded people. Today’s challenge is to build a country where everyone has equal opportunities to grow.”
Throughout educational centers across Costa Rica, activities such as plays, readings, and historical analyses were conducted as part of this remembrance. Workshops were also held between March 16 and 19 for 480 students on topics including biodiversity in Santa Rosa National Park and historical events related to the campaign.
The event also included participation from coordinators belonging to UNESCO Associated Schools Network (RedPEA), who met earlier in March to plan strategic actions for peaceful and sustainable futures through transformative education. The Ministry continues its efforts by collaborating with universities like ULACIT on initiatives such as guides for artificial intelligence use in classrooms.
Looking ahead, programs like STEM Racing Costa Rica aim to further develop young talent in science and technology fields. Since its introduction in 2023, this program has reached over 14,000 students through various educational activities.
