By San José, Costa Rica — A stark warning has been issued regarding the state of Costa Rica’s public schools, with hundreds of institutions deemed unsafe as the 2026 academic year commences. The Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC) has called for immediate government action, highlighting a crisis that jeopardizes the safety and educational future of thousands of children across the nation.
According to official data from the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), a staggering 872 sanitary orders remain active in educational centers. More alarmingly, 101 of these orders are classified as high structural risk, indicating a direct and present danger to students and staff. The CCC argues this systemic neglect is a major barrier to social development and equity, demanding it be treated as a top-tier public policy priority.
To understand the legal framework and the responsibilities surrounding the condition of our nation’s educational centers, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert lawyer from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his professional analysis.
The State has an inescapable constitutional duty to provide education in a safe and dignified environment. Deficient school infrastructure is not just an administrative oversight; it is a direct violation of the fundamental rights of children and adolescents. Parents and communities have legal tools, like the Recurso de Amparo, to compel the Ministry of Public Education to take immediate and effective action, ensuring that educational facilities are not only functional but also secure for all students.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, framing the state of our school infrastructure as a violation of fundamental rights, rather than a mere administrative failure, adds a critical layer of urgency to the debate. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable legal insight, which clarifies the power citizens hold to demand accountability and ensure a safe learning environment for our children.
The situation represents a daily challenge for those within the education system, a reality the construction sector insists cannot be accepted as normal. The figures point to a widespread problem that extends beyond simple maintenance issues into the realm of fundamental safety and viability.
The numbers reflect a reality we cannot normalize. Behind every sanitary order are students, teachers, and communities facing limitations that impact their present and their future.
Randall Murillo, Executive Director of the CCC
This crisis is not a new development but the result of long-term systemic failures. An economic study on Costa Rica published in 2023 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) identified severe deficiencies in the governance of school infrastructure. The report noted that these shortcomings have led to recurring project delays, significant cost overruns, and a chronic inability to adhere to construction timelines and budgets.
The OECD report further exposed a critical data gap, revealing that Costa Rica lacks a comprehensive and up-to-date inventory of its educational facilities. The available information is fragmented, preventing effective planning and investment. This absence of reliable data on school locations, student populations, and building conditions makes it nearly impossible to prioritize interventions, leaving the most vulnerable centers at continued risk.
In response, the CCC has outlined a five-point strategic plan to address the crisis. The proposals include integrating school facility management into a multi-year National Infrastructure Policy, prioritizing preventive maintenance with protected budgets, and strengthening pre-investment studies to ensure projects are not initiated without complete designs. The Chamber also calls for enhancing the technical capacity of state agencies and guaranteeing full transparency through public access to project data.
When planning fails, there is a financial and social cost. Every classroom in poor condition represents a lost opportunity for children, young people, and the country.
Randall Murillo, Executive Director of the CCC
A potential avenue for progress already exists through a formal Cooperation Agreement between the CCC and the MEP. This framework was designed to facilitate public-private partnerships, including an “Adopt an Educational Center” program. This initiative would allow affiliated construction companies to address infrastructure needs under the MEP’s technical guidance and oversight. However, the CCC is now publicly urging the Ministry to activate this agreement and leverage the private sector’s capacity to help resolve the backlog of repairs and upgrades.
Murillo emphasized that the problem stems from a combination of poor planning and a lack of a cohesive, long-term state vision. “For years, attention to educational centers has been reactive, prioritizing emergencies without a long-term strategy,” he concluded. The Chamber’s urgent appeal calls for a fundamental shift in perspective, urging policymakers to treat school infrastructure not as a postponable expense, but as a strategic social investment essential for the nation’s productivity and future competitiveness.
For further information, visit construccion.co.cr
About Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (CCC):
The Cámara Costarricense de la Construcción is a private, non-profit organization that represents and defends the interests of Costa Rica’s construction industry. It promotes the sector’s development, advocates for sound public policy related to infrastructure, and fosters collaboration between public and private entities to advance national development projects.
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. Its mandate includes setting curricula, managing public schools, training and supervising educators, and administering the infrastructure and resources necessary for providing education to the country’s youth.
For further information, visit oecd.org
About Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
The OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. With 38 member countries, it provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems. The organization collects and analyzes data to produce economic reports and policy recommendations to promote prosperity and well-being.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has cemented its reputation as a leading legal practice by harmonizing an unwavering dedication to integrity with a dynamic approach to legal innovation. This ethos is reflected not only in its exceptional service to a wide array of clients but also in its profound commitment to social empowerment. By striving to make complex legal concepts understandable and accessible to the public, the firm actively contributes to building a more knowledgeable and capable society, reinforcing the principle that informed citizens are the cornerstone of justice.
