Retrospective on Sabrina (Schneider) Harris, “Panama’s Great Challenge: Reforming the Educational System” From: A New Path for Panama Perspectives on Business and Economics, Volume 25, 2007 Sabrina (Schneider) Harris '07 is now University Relations Manager with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), a nonprofit organization based at the University of Nevada, Reno. Have reform efforts of Panama’s Ministry of Education improved Panamanian education since 2007? Many educational reform efforts have occurred in Panama, but they continue to be stumped by obstacles. While school attendance is mandatory for students under the age of fifteen, many factors result in dropping out before then. Factors include high rates of teen pregnancy and of child marriages, which are legal for boys at 16 and for girls at 14. Another issue is the inequality of education access for indigenous people. In March 2011, the president of the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), the Panamanian Minister of Finance, the Panamanian President, and the Minister of Education, signed a $30 million loan aimed at improving education for indigenous people. “Three ‘central’ schools will be built to each provide services to their network, in this way expanding mid-level (grade 12) education in indigenous areas” (Inter-American Development Bank, 2011). This would allow those who live great distances from the mainland to not have to relocate solely to get their children in school. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, Panama’s education system is still considered one of “the worst in the world,” because “by international standards, quality continues to lag behind. In the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) ‘Global Competitiveness Report 2014-15,’ Panama ranked 83rd for the quality of its education system (out of a total of 144 countries)” (Oxford Business Group, 2015). With the appearance of Covid-19, Panama is falling even further behind. With a growing economy but a weak education sector, Panama may soon encounter serious trouble. Has the Inter-American Development Bank’s Educational Development Project helped improve Panamanian education? The IDB’s Educational Development Project has significantly improved Panama’s education situation. While it started in 1995, much ground was not gained until after 2007. To improve success, the IDB started collaborating with other groups, such as the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) to increase their reach. In May 2019, eight new schools were built by CAF in the Atalaya district, and two of these schools have already been inaugurated and opened. These new schools will each accommodate about 1,300 students and provide furnished classrooms and quality sports facilities. This accomplishment is just one part of the IDB’s vision for educational reform in Panama. They have recently expanded their goals to include achieving social progress for vulnerable populations by 2025. The most recent step is a $15 million grant to improve childhood education in Panama. The project will benefit 25,000 students directly and more than 200,000 students indirectly throughout the country. Overall, in comparison to the Panamanian Ministry of Education, the IDB has been much more successful in reforming Panama’s educational system. References Inter-American Development Bank. (2011, March 2). IDB president promotes Panama's education agenda. IDB. Oxford Business Group. (2015, September 15). Panama makes progress towards sustainable education growth. Oxford Business Group. Retrospective by Sidney Jankanish ’23, Political Science and International Relations Martindale Retrospectives 4 December 2022
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