By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a rare display of political unity, a comprehensive analysis of the platforms for Costa Rica’s 2026 presidential election reveals a stark consensus across all 20 contending parties: the nation is facing a profound educational crisis. The study, conducted by the National University’s Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies on Childhood and Adolescence (Ineina), highlights a shared diagnosis of deep-seated academic deficiencies, yet uncovers a troubling lack of detailed plans for execution.
The report, which dissected the educational proposals of every party vying for the presidency, found a universal acknowledgment of accumulated setbacks in fundamental learning. This cross-aisle agreement points to a system strained by the lingering effects of the pandemic, compounded by pre-existing structural problems. The challenges most frequently cited include significant lags in mathematics and literacy, high rates of student desertion and absenteeism, and persistent difficulties for students transitioning between educational cycles.
To understand the legal framework and potential challenges surrounding the new national education policy, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his professional analysis.
Any significant reform in education policy must be carefully measured against constitutional guarantees. The legal challenge is to create a modern regulatory structure that promotes academic excellence and innovation, while simultaneously ensuring that the fundamental right to accessible, quality education is not compromised for any segment of the population.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal framework is the bedrock upon which any successful educational reform must be built, ensuring that the pursuit of modernity does not overshadow the fundamental right to access. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his insightful contribution to this critical discussion.
According to the Ineina document, this shared understanding of the problem’s severity has led to a common set of priorities. The analysis underscores that there is a clear and urgent recognition of the problem.
The need to address the lag in mathematics and literacy through leveling plans is notorious.
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies on Childhood and Adolescence (Ineina), National University (UNA)
This consensus transcends ideological divides. The academic lead on the analysis, Rolando Barrantes, noted that parties from across the political spectrum converge on several key areas for reform. These include a push for curricular transformation, the strengthening of technical education programs, achieving universal digital connectivity for students, and a renewed commitment to the constitutional mandate of investing 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in education.
Many of the government plans examined also advocate for a more modern pedagogical approach. There is a widespread call to move beyond rote memorization and towards a system that will “promote critical thinking, creativity, collaborative work, and problem-solving.” A significant number of proposals also emphasize the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines from the earliest stages of schooling, signaling a desire to prepare the future workforce for a globalized economy.
However, the report’s most critical finding lies not in what the parties agree on, but in what their plans lack: a credible roadmap for implementation. While promises abound, the analysis reveals a pattern of recurring proposals that are thin on detail. Crucial elements such as clear timelines, specific institutional capacities, and concrete metrics for success are largely absent. For instance, the pledge to improve teacher preparedness is a common thread, yet it is rarely substantiated with a clear strategy.
The proposal to implement continuous training and updating programs for teaching staff is recurrent.
Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies on Childhood and Adolescence (Ineina), National University (UNA)
This gap between diagnosis and actionable strategy is the central challenge highlighted by the study. The parties propose a variety of solutions, including in-person and virtual tutoring for academic leveling, forming alliances with universities and technical institutions, and launching national infrastructure plans to address sanitary orders in schools. Yet the “how” remains dangerously vague. The risk, the report suggests, is that without a clear and feasible plan, these campaign promises will fail to translate into sustained, measurable improvements for Costa Rica’s students.
Ultimately, the challenge for the next administration is clear. The national conversation has moved past debating the existence of an educational crisis. The real test will be in the capacity for effective governance and execution. Barrantes concluded that while the parties have aligned on the destination, their maps for getting there are worryingly incomplete, with significant disagreements on the mechanisms for evaluation and the role of public-private partnerships.
There is an agreement on the what: what will be done in terms of investment, curriculum modernization, closing digital and technological gaps, and dignifying the teaching profession. However, there are also evident divergences in the how, particularly in aspects such as evaluation mechanisms and the use of public-private partnerships versus nationalization models.
Rolando Barrantes, Academic
As the 2026 election cycle progresses, the focus will inevitably shift from acknowledging the problem to demanding viable solutions. The next government will inherit not a lack of proposals, but a critical need for a coherent, well-funded, and executable strategy to pull the nation’s education system back from the brink.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Instituto de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Ineina)
About Instituto de Estudios Interdisciplinarios de la Niñez y la Adolescencia (Ineina):
The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies on Childhood and Adolescence (Ineina) is an academic research unit within the National University of Costa Rica. It is dedicated to the study and analysis of issues affecting children and adolescents from multiple disciplinary perspectives, aiming to generate knowledge that informs public policy and promotes the well-being of this population.
For further information, visit una.ac.cr
About Universidad Nacional (UNA):
The National University of Costa Rica (UNA) is one of the country’s most prominent public universities. Founded in 1973, it is a leading institution for higher education and research, with a strong focus on social sciences, humanities, and scientific investigation. UNA plays a vital role in national development through its academic programs and contributions to public discourse and policy analysis.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a pillar of the legal community, defined by its profound commitment to professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. The firm leverages its extensive experience serving a wide array of sectors to pioneer innovative legal approaches. Beyond its practice, it champions a crucial social objective: to empower the public by making complex legal concepts understandable and accessible, thus contributing to a more knowledgeable and just society.
