Businesses Leaving Costa Rica. Is this the canary in the coal mine?

Scott, We have eight kids in various stages of their education living here. When this began the youngest two were in the first grade. We now have one who has graduated, another in her last year and three others in Colegio.
I am not impressed with the education that they are receiving.

The education of a child begins in the home with the parents teaching their kids, initially, how to think. The schools are supposed to continue the process by teaching, reading, math and the sciences as well as to inform students about the world around them.

In Ciudad Colon it does not seem that the teachers have much interest in teaching the kids to think but teach them how to memorize the subject.

Most important for the students here is to LEARN math, the sciences so that they can advance themselves technically and how to read and write English to give them advantage with the U.S. corporations looking for competent help.

I fault parents, teachers and educational administrastors for the failings of the children and the loss of the ability to fill needed positions.

The entire system is failing from end to end.

If you have never tried to get technical support from an Indian technician be warned…their pronunciation is like something from outer space.

[quote=”Scott”]Remember I am British Les! Every time I fly into Heathrow I am greeted by Hindus who make up at least 50% of the staff so I am very familiar with the different accents.
[/quote]

You are also dealing with a variety of accents at Heathrow.

It is quite different for someone unused to the accents. Face to face I usually have little problem communicating but over the telephone it is quite different.

It is the same with my Spanish. Over the phone I have a problem but face to face it is easier to understand or request that the other person speak more slowly.

[quote=”costaricafinca”] Agree with Les, the public schools here leave a lot to be desired. There will be a few that may be considered outstanding, but for the most part, I would never advise anyone moving here to put their children into this system.[/quote]

Going back to my statement that parents need to begin the process of teaching their children to think I am finding that many Tico parents are so poorly educated that they are incapable of beginning the process. Both parents come from poor backgrounds that required them to help support the family.

Some way there needs to be a change in the culture.

In my personal experience with the family in our home the father and mother have 5th and 6th grade educations. The father is very intelligent and able to think through problems but the idea of teaching the kids to do the same never crossed his mind.

Of the eight kids in our home all but two are beyond his level of education. I am trying to get the kids to question the teachers on the concepts that they are taught in school. The concept of respect is ingrained in the society here to the point that they fear to question any authority. The kids are taught to memorize what they learn rather than to think and question. The vast majority of teachers seem to be there for the pay rather than having an interest in teaching

Very few or the kids in the poorer families get as far as finishing Colegio much less get to University. It seems to me that the kids in the more prosperous families are able to advance themselves further.

Am I wrong or do others see the same problem? When you get down to it educaton is the reason the Costa Rica is losing these jobs.

[quote=”costaricafinca”]I operated a preschool and day care for over 20+ years in Canada and provided many stimulating games and puzzles for babies from a very early age. I brought with me, many variations of matching games like dominoes and jigsaw puzzles for children, and when I have visitors with little ones, they love to ‘raid my boxes’ for a new task to try. I have found that some of the puzzles ‘my’ 2 year olds could do, it is a struggle for many in first graders to be able to accomplish, at least until they have visited for a few times.
I have shown many parents just what a child can ‘do’ with one very inexpensive pack of playing cards…
In our town there is a man who teaches some of the local kids to make Robots with all sorts of ‘junk’ that would usually be thrown in the trash. Kudos to him!![/quote]

I have one 16 year old who shows promise with things electronic. He is always figuring out how to use them.

I have a 10 and 11 year old who I think are not beyond hope and a 3 year old who can be my best prospect.

I am well beyond average in intelligence but on this subject I appreciate your guidance.

Thank you.

During World War II, my parents and I had neighbors who were attached to the British Embassy in Washington. Marjorie spoke Cockney; Robin spoke Liverpudlian. No one had a clue (including maybe them).

A [i]Tico [/i]family provides their child’s school with a copy of their earnings signed by the employer, which in turn helps determine the cost of schooling.

There is also another special fund which is applied to families, but I cannot remember what it is called, but which may soon be changed, much to the disapproval/disappointment of many Costa Ricans.

In every country where school uniforms are required, they are handed down and shared between friends and families as the children outgrow them and keep costs down, so in the long run, it is much cheaper for families.

This is one reason, most public elementary schools in CR have navy blue pants and blue shirts.

I, for one, think [u]every school child[/u] should wear a uniform.

During my 21 years in Costa Rica I have been observing many children going through the education process (including my own 2).

Back in the early 90s it was very common for Tico parents to say “if my kid does not want to go to school, he can still work with the machete (or get married for the girls)” now the machete-generation has weed-cutting mashines and the girls have 4 kids and/or are going through divorce.

Very popular among college students was “turismo” and school teacher, attorney-notary (real estate transactions are easy money), or to get a job at ICE for those who did not make it to college (government job = good salary and lots of benefits).

I have not heard many say “I want to be an engineer” or technician of some kind. Popular careers where those that did not have much to do with Math (Most kids in C.R. are weak in math).

Today the different Universities in Costa Rica get approached by companies looking for qualified people in certain areas (mostly those that require a lot of math).

They publish lists of the most wanted careers at the end of the year to motivate kids to make the best decision for their future. School teachers and tour guides are not on top of the list.

http://wvw.elfinancierocr.com/ef_archivo/2008/febrero/03/enportada1395935.html