The Colegio Técnico Profesional (CTP) Uladislao Gámez Solano in Tirrases, Curridabat, marked its 20th anniversary with a ceremony honoring its namesake, Uladislao “Lalo” Gámez Solano. The event included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Leonardo Sánchez, Minister of Public Education.
The ceremony was attended by several officials: Alejandra Gutiérrez, Deputy Minister of Institutional Planning; Paula Pérez, institutional director; Hilda González, regional director for San José Central; Pablo Masís, director of Technical Education and Entrepreneurial Skills; and Luis Gámez Hernández, grandson of Uladislao Gámez Solano.
Uladislao Gámez Solano served as Costa Rica’s first Minister of Education during the Second Republic and played an important role in developing the country’s educational system in the twentieth century. He promoted reforms to expand access to education and modernize academic programs. In 2024, Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly recognized him as Benemérito de las Letras Patrias for his work strengthening national education.
Speaking at the event, Paula Pérez said: “It is an honor and a great responsibility to represent such an important CTP for the country. Tirrases is a community with young people who have much talent and strive to achieve their goals and be outstanding citizens.”
Minister Sánchez addressed students and guests about the significance of the commemoration. “It is an honor for me to participate in this event celebrating the anniversary of this institution and even more so if it is to recognize a man responsible for changing the destiny of a country’s education forever,” he stated.
Founded in 2006 to meet local demand for technical training opportunities, CTP Uladislao Gámez Solano began operations with borrowed facilities serving tenth-grade students specializing in bilingual secretarial work and accounting. Over time it expanded its infrastructure—adding special education services, new pavilions, a gymnasium, and an amphitheater—and now serves over 1,100 students across daytime and evening technical programs.
Students can specialize in fields including accounting, networks, electronics, graphic design, and civil construction. The school also participates in various educational initiatives that promote critical thinking skills and innovation among students.
Costa Rica recently joined the School Meals Coalition led by the United Nations World Food Programme. This coalition aims to ensure every child receives at least one healthy meal per day at school by 2030 (https://www.wfp.org/school-meals-coalition).
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Education has updated enrollment ranges across all public education levels as part of efforts to improve learning quality by focusing on teachers’ roles within policy decisions.
The return this month of an educational program on Canal 13 seeks to inspire young viewers while supporting cultural development—a show remembered fondly by many Costa Ricans.
