With CABEI support, more than 11,000 Costa Rican students will benefit from the reconstruction of their educational centers

San José, January 26th, 2023.- A total of 36 schools in various locations in Costa Rica that were damaged by the emergencies that affected the country in the last quarter of 2022 will be repaired and/or rebuilt, and 252 classrooms will be built for the benefit of 11,405 children with the support of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).

As part of the historic financing granted for the execution of the "Emergency Program for the Comprehensive and Resilient Reconstruction of Infrastructure" approved in December for a total amount of US$700 million, 2,500 urgent interventions are contemplated, including roads, bridges, housing, railroad lines, among others, as well as schools where an investment of US$90.2 million will be made.

"Education is the most powerful tool that future generations have to prepare themselves and be part of the active economy of their countries, so we are pleased to know that part of this historic approval will be used to rehabilitate the learning space for hundreds of children in various areas of the country, many of them vulnerable," said CABEI Executive President, Dr. Dante Mossi.

The schools are located in Buenos Aires, Cartago, Coto Brus, Esparza, Garabito, Golfito, Guanacaste, Guatuso, Heredia, Hojancha, Limón, Matina, Osa, Parrita, Pérez Zeledón, Poas, Puntarenas, Puriscal, Quepos, San Carlos, Santa Cruz, Talamanca, Upala, San Carlos, Santa Cruz, Sarapiquí and Talamanca, and the interventions include the furnishing and equipping of cafeterias and other model spaces.

It should be noted that six of the schools are located in indigenous territory, and that in addition to benefiting students, 360 teachers are expected to be positively impacted, as well as the generation of 2,592 temporary jobs during the construction period.

In this way, CABEI, as the Bank of the Central American region, contributes with its founding member country Costa Rica in the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: guarantee inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote learning opportunities for all, which is in line with its 2020-2024 Institutional Strategy, specifically in the Human.

Development axis, which contemplates the transformation of the education system and its compatibility with the requirements of economic growth.