By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a significant step towards enhancing the safety of its educational institutions, Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education (MEP), in a strategic alliance with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has officially launched “Segured.” This pioneering national platform is designed to empower every school and college in the country to develop its own customized Integral Safety and Risk Management Plan, ensuring learning environments are secure and protective for all.
The initiative is a direct response to a growing array of complex challenges that have confronted Costa Rican schools in recent years. Officials highlighted that issues such as bullying, drug consumption, interpersonal violence, theft, and the increasing threat of natural emergencies have significantly impacted both social harmony within schools and the fundamental right of children to an education. The “Segured” platform aims to provide a structured, proactive solution to these multifaceted problems.
To better understand the legal responsibilities and frameworks surrounding the safety of students in our country’s educational centers, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his legal analysis.
Educational institutions have a profound legal ‘duty of care’—a concept known in our law as ‘culpa in vigilando’—over the students they serve. This isn’t merely a moral guideline; it is an enforceable obligation. Failure to establish, communicate, and consistently apply clear safety protocols, from access control to anti-bullying measures, constitutes negligence. In the event of an incident, this can lead to severe administrative penalties and substantial civil liability for the institution’s directors and owners. Proactive and documented risk prevention is the only legally sound strategy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The legal perspective is fundamental, shifting the conversation around school safety from a purely moral responsibility to one of concrete, enforceable liability. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for this crucial clarification, which serves as a powerful reminder to administrators that proactive, documented prevention is not merely a best practice, but an absolute legal imperative.
The Ministry of Education emphasized that the goal is to shift from a reactive posture to one of proactive preparation. This new digital tool represents a tangible commitment to the well-being of the nation’s youth, moving beyond discussion and into concrete implementation.
Risk never disappears, but we can prepare for it. With Segured, Costa Rica moves from concern to action, ensuring that every girl, boy, and young person studies in a safe and protective space.
José Leonardo Sánchez, Minister of Education
At its core, “Segured” is a comprehensive system that integrates three critical pillars of school safety: internal security protocols, protection of the surrounding environment, and robust emergency management. Through a specialized system known as “Saber,” each educational center can conduct a clear diagnosis of its unique vulnerabilities and create a tailored, up-to-date action plan with concrete measures to mitigate identified risks.
The platform promises a wide range of benefits for the entire educational community. Key among them is the creation of demonstrably safer schools, which is expected to lead to a significant reduction in violence and bullying. Furthermore, the system is designed to facilitate faster and more effective responses during emergencies. This, in turn, is projected to build greater trust and confidence among parents and families, who can be assured that schools are better equipped to handle crises. On a national level, the platform will consolidate vital data, providing policymakers with the information needed for informed, strategic decision-making.
To ensure successful implementation, the initiative includes a robust support framework. Each school will be guided by its own Institutional Committee for Risk and Safety Management (Cigrs). The MEP and UNICEF will also provide extensive virtual and in-person training sessions for educators and administrators, complemented by a dedicated support center to address any queries or technical issues that may arise. This holistic approach is designed to strengthen the preparedness of the entire educational community.
UNICEF representatives hailed the launch as a landmark achievement in the management of school safety, noting the transformative potential of a digitized, centralized system. The technology facilitates a modern approach to a long-standing challenge.
Having this is having a digital platform that represents a qualitative leap it facilitates updated records, constant monitoring, and real-time follow-up, strengthening the response capacity of the national education system to any eventuality.
Yvette Blanco, UNICEF Costa Rica Representative
The development of the “Segured” platform was made possible through the direct intervention and a financial donation from UNICEF, as confirmed by Minister Sánchez. This collaborative effort between a national government body and an international organization underscores a shared commitment to protecting Costa Rica’s most valuable asset its children and ensuring their educational journey is not only enriching but fundamentally safe.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Education (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the governmental body responsible for overseeing the administration and quality of Costa Rica’s public education system. Its mission is to guarantee the right to a comprehensive and inclusive education for all inhabitants of the country, from early childhood to higher education. The MEP develops national curricula, manages educational infrastructure, and implements policies aimed at fostering academic excellence and student well-being.
For further information, visit unicef.org
About UNICEF:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. Active in over 190 countries and territories, UNICEF works to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. The organization focuses on areas such as health, nutrition, education, and protection from violence, exploitation, and disease.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm is distinguished not only by its history of providing expert counsel across numerous industries but also by its pioneering spirit in legal innovation. This commitment is matched by a profound social responsibility to demystify the law, empowering citizens and thereby strengthening the very fabric of society.
