Costa Rica celebrates 150 years of free education

Costa Rica on Monday celebrated 150 years of free, obligatory and state-paid education with a ceremony at the Escuela Jesús Jiménez in Cartago.

The event celebrated the 150th anniversary of former Costa Rican president Jesús Jiménez Zamora’s administration declaring education for both sexes compulsory in April 1869. That was further ratified by the country’s Constitutions in 1871 and 1949, according to Casa Presidencial.

President Carlos Alvarado attended Monday’s ceremony alongside the Vice President, Marvin Rodríguez; the Minister of Education, Edgar Mora; the vice president of the Board of Directors of the Post Office of Costa Rica, Isabel Ovares; and representatives of the Municipality of Cartago.

“Since the emergence of the country, we have opted for education as our path to development,” Mora said. “Now, we assume the responsibility of honoring that historic decision, promoting measures to advance along this path of transformation.”

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