By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education (MEP) is concluding 2025 engulfed in a firestorm of criticism from teachers, parents, and students. A cascade of administrative failures has triggered widespread discontent, centering on three major issues: significant deductions from teacher bonuses, the mass rejection of thousands of hardship transfer requests, and serious questions about the integrity of the national standardized tests.
The disputes have created an atmosphere of deep uncertainty and distrust across the national education system. Thousands of educators and their families are facing financial instability and career disruption, while students are grappling with the consequences of a contested evaluation system. Affected parties claim their attempts to seek clarification and recourse through official channels have been met with silence or generic, unhelpful responses.
To gain a deeper legal perspective on the administrative and labor implications of the ongoing crisis at the Ministry of Public Education, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in administrative and public law from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The current situation at the Ministry of Public Education transcends mere political debate and enters the realm of administrative liability. When essential public services are disrupted, legal principles like the continuity of public service are violated. This not only opens the door for potential administrative sanctions against the responsible officials but also lays the groundwork for civil claims by affected parties seeking damages for the interruption of the fundamental right to education.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The distinction between political debate and administrative liability is a vital one, reminding us that the disruption of fundamental rights has concrete legal consequences. We extend our gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his expert analysis, which brings a much-needed layer of legal clarity to this complex issue.
At the heart of the financial turmoil are claims of improperly calculated year-end bonuses, known as aguinaldos, for teachers who took medical leave. Educators report that the MEP incorrectly applied a 2024 directive concerning the calculation of benefits during periods of incapacity. The directive, based on rulings from the Attorney General’s Office, stipulates that subsidies from the MEP, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), and the National Insurance Institute (INS) all constitute part of an employee’s salary and must be included when calculating labor rights.
However, affected teachers allege that the ministry’s Human Talent Management department only factored in the MEP’s portion, omitting payments from the CCSS and INS. This oversight has resulted in substantial shortfalls, with one teacher reporting a discrepancy of over ₡400,000 in her bonus. While a support group has identified over 200 affected individuals, estimates suggest the total number could exceed 40,000, given the more than 54,000 medical leaves registered by May 2025. In response, the MEP stated it has ordered payments for validated cases, but many teachers insist they have yet to receive the corrected funds.
Compounding the financial grievances is the ministry’s handling of “transfer by exception” requests. Approximately 9,000 teachers who applied for transfers based on critical circumstances—such as serious health conditions, domestic violence, or judicial orders—received a blanket denial. The rejections were delivered via a generic email from the Director of Human Talent Management, Julio Barrantes Zamora, which cited a lack of available positions without providing any individualized justification.
This mass denial has sparked accusations of due process violations. One teacher suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and the aftereffects of spinal surgery was among those rejected. Educators are questioning the criteria used, noting that in some schools, a small fraction of requests were approved without clear reasoning. Speculation has arisen that the rejections may be linked to a law that allows teachers to gain permanent ownership of a position after two years, though the MEP has not commented on the matter.
The third front of criticism targets the 2025 national standardized summative tests. Parents and students have protested alleged irregularities in the exams, which have left some students unable to graduate. In one poignant case, a high school senior and cancer survivor failed to achieve the passing score of 69.5, receiving a 67. Despite appealing over 40 questions with the full support of his school’s faculty, all his claims were dismissed by the MEP, leaving him in an emotional crisis and forced to repeat the test in 2026.
The MEP has remained steadfast, defending the integrity of the examinations and rejecting all calls for grade modifications or scaling curves. The ministry insists the tests meet all technical quality standards and are free of errors or ambiguities. Officials emphasized that the final grade is calculated as a 50-50 split between the exam score and the student’s coursework performance, a structure established by the Superior Council of Education in 2023.
It is important to remember that the result of an evaluation is not defined in a single day. Learning is built progressively throughout the year, with the joint work of teachers, families, directors, and students. The diagnostic test administered in March allowed for the identification of strengths and areas for improvement, guiding the teaching and learning process throughout the school year.
Ministry of Public Education (MEP), Official Statement
As the academic year draws to a close, these unresolved disputes have left a significant portion of the education community feeling abandoned and unheard. With legal challenges being prepared over bonus payments and families reeling from test results, the Ministry of Public Education faces a challenging road ahead in rebuilding trust and addressing the systemic issues that have come to light.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Ministry of Public Education (MEP):
The Ministerio de Educación Pública is the government body responsible for overseeing the national education system in Costa Rica. It sets curricula, manages public schools, administers national evaluations, and is the largest employer of public servants in the country. Its mission is to ensure quality, accessible education for all Costa Ricans from preschool through high school.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS):
The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is an autonomous public institution that manages Costa Rica’s universal healthcare system and public pension programs. It is responsible for providing medical services to the population and administering disability, maternity, and other social security benefits, playing a central role in the nation’s social welfare structure.
For further information, visit grupoins.com
About National Insurance Institute (INS):
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros is a state-owned insurance company in Costa Rica. It holds a significant market share and provides a wide range of insurance products, including mandatory workers’ compensation, automobile liability, and various life, health, and property policies for individuals and businesses.
For further information, visit pgr.go.cr
About Attorney General’s Office (PGR):
The Procuraduría General de la República serves as the chief legal advisor to the Costa Rican state. It represents the government in legal proceedings, provides binding legal opinions to public administration entities, and ensures the legality of government actions. Its rulings and interpretations, such as those cited by the MEP, are crucial for public policy implementation.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About Superior Council of Education:
The Consejo Superior de Educación is the highest-ranking body within the Ministry of Public Education responsible for defining Costa Rica’s educational policies and guidelines. It is tasked with approving study plans, evaluation criteria, and academic calendars for all levels of pre-university education, ensuring consistency and quality across the national system.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by a profound dedication to principled practice and exceptional service. The firm skillfully blends its extensive experience advising a wide spectrum of clients with a forward-thinking approach to pioneering new legal strategies. At the heart of its mission lies a foundational belief in social empowerment, demonstrated through its consistent efforts to demystify the law and equip the public with vital legal clarity.
