The Government of Chile, through its diplomatic representation and management of funds from the Chilean Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AGCID), will provide three interactive rooms for the Republic of Chile schools in the province of Alajuela and in San José, Costa Rica.
This week, the Chilean Ambassador to Costa Rica, Miguel Ángel Gonzalez, gave the first donation of equipment for the implementation of an interactive room at Pedro Aguirre Cerda School in the province of Alajuela. The donation, of approximately US $ 10,000, will equip three rooms with LED TVs, amplification systems, laptops, hard drives and shelves for storage of equipment, benefitting a total of 2,100 children at Pedro Aguirre Cerda School and Gabriela Mistral School in Alajuela, and the Republic of Chile School in San José.
The implementation of high-tech audiovisual equipment is intended to increase levels of participation and motivation of students by bringing information and communications technology in the classroom. The 2015 edition of the Global Report on Information Technology placed Chile as the regional leader in its use (38th globally), while Costa Rica is ranked as 49th, and this kind of initiative is an opportunity for both countries to boost educational culture through technological tools.
These donations will be made to Gabriela Mistral School on February 23, and to the Republic of Chile School in San José on March 1, with the participation of ministers, vice-ministers and directors of International Affairs and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Culture and Youth; the Ministry of Planning and Development; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship.
Chile Schools in Costa Rica
Chile's Schools Program runs throughout Latin America, supporting the infrastructure of these facilities with economic resources as well as the training of staff and teachers at these schools.
- Republic of Chile School: Founded in 1927, and now a national monument. It is located in the Lujan neighborhood in San José, and provides education to about 600 children. It was named by the San José Board of Education as the Republic of Chile School for its assistance of our country to Costa Rica, especially in education.
- Gabriela Mistral School: Founded in 1887, is located in the rural area of La Guácima province of Alajuel, where around 700 children from farming communities study. It was named Gabriela Mistral School in the forties, because of Mistral's literary work related to rural school children.
- Pedro Aguirre Cerda School: Founded in 1877 in San Pedro de Poás, Alajuela. It was renamed the Pedro Aguirre Cerda School on May 25, 1946. During his tenure, Chilean President Aguirre Cerda sent experts in social security and educational reform to Costa Rica. Around 800 children study at the school.