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The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) has announced important changes to the Distance Education Diversified Baccalaureate Program (EDAD) with the aim of better adapting to the needs of Costa Ricans.
This reform, approved by the Higher Education Council, seeks to facilitate access to secondary education for people over 16 years of age who have completed the ninth year.
Among the most notable changes are:
The removal of the age limit for enrollment.
Simplification of registration procedures.
The extension of the agreement with the Costa Rican Institute of Radio Education (ICER).
One of the most significant improvements is the reduction of tests per subject , from three to two. The first tests will cover content from tenth grade and the second, from eleventh grade. In addition, the final tests for Baccalaureate will be eliminated. The MEP will provide a list with the topics to be evaluated in each subject and online practices will be implemented to help students prepare.
Another innovation is the possibility of accessing educational content through 15 radio stations throughout the country, thus facilitating study from various devices. This will allow education to reach remote areas, providing an accessible alternative for everyone.
Education Minister Anna Katharina Müller stressed the importance of these changes:
"I am aware of what this represents for all these people, it is reaching a goal, it is achieving self-improvement and with the radio we will be able to reach every corner of the country to bring education to all Costa Ricans who for personal reasons unfortunately had to leave formal education."
According to the Costa Rican Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), approximately 600,000 people are in the situation of having dropped out of secondary school without completing high school.
Requirements to complete the MEP Baccalaureate by AGE
Requirements include being at least 16 years old, attaching identification , proof of payment, a passport-sized photo and the Certificate of Completion of the Third Cycle of Basic General Education.
People interested in the program can register through the link ( https://portaldgec.mep.go.cr/yo_aplico/Login ).
For those applicants requiring educational support, the same documents mentioned above must be included along with a letter from the special education advisor indicating the necessary educational support.
Enrollment for Baccalaureate by Age
Registration for the first tests, corresponding to tenth-year subjects, began on April 29 and will end on May 24. The first tests will be presented on June 23, 29 and 30, 2024 .
Those who pass the tenth grade in the first tests or who only have to pass the eleventh grade must register for the second tests. Registration for the eleventh grade tests will take place from July 15 to 21, 2024, and the tests will be administered on September 22, 28, and 29, 2024.