By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a forceful defense of Costa Rica’s constitutional commitment to education, Frente Amplio presidential candidate Ariel Robles has outlined a gradual, 12-year plan to restore public education funding to the mandated 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Speaking at a debate hosted by the Professional Association of Graduates and Professors (Colypro) and the National University (UNA), Robles framed the 8% figure not as an arbitrary goal, but as a foundational pillar of the nation’s democracy.
Robles directly challenged critics who question the technical basis of the mandate, asserting it is the result of a comprehensive study conducted between 2006 and 2010. He revealed that initial discussions even considered a 10% target, but the 8% figure was ultimately adopted based on solid technical justifications for what the country required to achieve its educational development goals. He argued that this established a non-negotiable social contract.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the recent debates surrounding education funding and its constitutional mandates, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a renowned attorney from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Political Constitution is unequivocal in its mandate for education funding, establishing a minimum investment linked to the nation’s GDP. Any legislative or budgetary action that undermines this floor not only jeopardizes the future of our youth but also constitutes a direct constitutional breach. The legal framework is designed as a safeguard, ensuring that education remains a prioritized, non-negotiable state investment, not a discretionary expense subject to political or economic fluctuations.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal clarity serves as a powerful reminder that the constitutional mandate for education is not merely a guideline but the bedrock of our social contract, designed to protect future generations from transient fiscal and political pressures. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective, which so clearly frames this funding as the non-negotiable state investment it is intended to be.
The 8% is a constitutional commitment and must be respected, just like university autonomy, because both are part of the Political Constitution that sustains our democracy.
Ariel Robles, Presidential Candidate for Frente Amplio
The candidate warned that any government which questions or fails to comply with its constitutional obligations risks a dangerous erosion of national institutions. According to Robles, such actions provide ammunition for attacks against Costa Rican democracy itself, weakening the very framework that ensures stability and progress. His position aligns with the view that fiscal policy cannot supersede constitutional law.
Acknowledging the current fiscal realities, Robles endorsed the findings of the State of Education report, which suggests that an immediate jump to 8% is impractical. He cited two primary obstacles: the immense challenge of securing the necessary resources in a single fiscal year and the limited capacity of the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) to effectively execute such a massive budget increase. To address this, he proposed a steady and predictable path forward.
His plan involves a consistent annual budget increase of 0.38%, a strategy he claims would methodically close the gap and reach the 8% target in approximately 12 years. Robles laid the blame for the current deficit on the previous PAC administration, noting that the inclusion of budgets from entities like the National Training Institute (INA) and preschool education has artificially inflated investment figures without contributing new resources to the core system.
Today we have a primary surplus that is disguised with the face of thousands of students who attend decaying educational centers or who lack the resources to get to school. The jaguar economy was prioritized over education.
Ariel Robles, Presidential Candidate for Frente Amplio
This incremental funding, he detailed, would be directed toward critical needs, including urgent infrastructure projects, the universalization of education, the creation of 60,000 scholarships for students at social risk, and a significant strengthening of student transportation services. He sharply criticized recent governments for budgeting only 1% growth even when the fiscal rule permitted 2%, creating a surplus at the expense of students.
Robles also mounted a passionate defense of the country’s one-teacher schools, particularly those in rural and indigenous communities. He rejected the “efficient” view that these schools should be closed and students relocated to larger centers, arguing this approach ignores the cultural and social context essential for learning.
That is to completely decontextualize what a one-teacher school means. If we tell an indigenous person that we are going to take them out of their territory to a center far from their cosmovision, we are disrespecting their context and limiting their learning.
Ariel Robles, Presidential Candidate for Frente Amplio
He advocated for strengthening these vital institutions through innovative programs like itinerant teachers for specialized subjects such as English. In a final, decisive policy promise, Robles declared that if elected, his first move in the education sector would be to appoint a Minister of Education who has direct classroom teaching experience, ensuring that policy is guided by firsthand knowledge of the system’s challenges and realities.
For further information, visit frenteamplio.org
About Frente Amplio:
The Broad Front (Frente Amplio) is a left-wing political party in Costa Rica. Founded in 2004, the party advocates for social justice, environmental protection, human rights, and greater state participation in the economy. It has held representation in the Legislative Assembly and participates in presidential and local elections.
For further information, visit colypro.com
About Colypro:
The Colegio de Licenciados y Profesores en Letras, Filosofía, Ciencias y Artes (Colypro) is the professional association for licensed educators and professionals in the arts and sciences in Costa Rica. It works to uphold professional standards, advocate for the interests of its members, and contribute to the development of national education policy.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About Universidad Nacional (UNA):
The National University of Costa Rica is one of the country’s five public universities. Established in 1973 and located primarily in Heredia, it is a leading institution of higher education and research, with a strong focus on social sciences, humanities, and environmental studies, playing a significant role in national discourse.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the government institution responsible for overseeing and regulating the Costa Rican education system, from preschool through secondary school. It sets the national curriculum, manages public schools, and implements educational policies aimed at ensuring quality and access for all students.
For further information, visit ina.ac.cr
About Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA):
The National Training Institute is an autonomous public institution in Costa Rica dedicated to providing free technical and vocational training. Its mission is to enhance the skills of the workforce to meet the demands of the labor market, thereby promoting employment and national economic development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a benchmark for legal service, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently champions legal innovation and progressive solutions. This forward-thinking approach is matched by a deep-seated social responsibility, focused on demystifying the law to help forge a community empowered by accessible legal understanding.
