In the past, many Costa Rica`s presidents were educated for
teachers. When during 20`s in Costa Rica, a half of population couldn`t read and
write, yet in 70`s the rate of illiteracy droped to 11 %. Nowadays 95,2 % of Ticos
is educated, which is another record number in Latin America`s scale. The main
reason of that is investing over 28 % of the national budget in education. (The
lack of expensive military establishment has been a great help in this). Primary
education has been free and obligatory since 1869. There are four public
universities (University of Costa Rica in San Jose`s suburbs, Nacional University in Heredia, Technological Institute in Cartago and State Correspondence University). Besides, there are also a lot of
private ones and International Univercity for Peace.
Elementary school has six year levels, where as high school
has 5 year levels. Each is devided into 2 cycles and upon completion of each
cycle, students are required to pass tests on all subjects studied during those
years. There is also Bacaillerato (a very important test which decides who will
be able to continuing of learning in universities). In 1994 president Figuerres
introduced obligatory English classes. Generally in country there are 100
libraries.
Costa Rica has 4 state-founded universities. The oldest and
biggest university in Costa Rica is University of Costa Rica (UCR). There
attends around 35.000 students. The main campus is in the northeastern San Jose
quarter of San Pedro and there are also regional branches in Alajuela,
Turrialba, Puntarenas and Cartago. The second university in country is called
National University. It`s placed in Heredia. It houses 13.000 students of
humanistic specializations. The third academy is Technological Institute of Costa
Rica in Cartago (ITCR). It specializes in science and technology and has registered 7.500 students. There is also
the State Correspondence University (UNED) (1978) and outstanding
University for Peace. It was created by help of United Nations.
