Up to 35,000 student failing grades

PANAMA’S EDUCATION system remains in the doldrums with  between 4 percent and 5 percent of Panama students receiving  failing grades for the school year, according to officials of  the Ministry  of Education.

National Education Director Mario Rodríguez said that while final statistics are not available, traditionally between 28,000 and 35,000 students receive failing grades, out of a total of roughly 700,000 students.

The government has launched a program called “Learn to the maximum” to reverse the situation. This includes reading comprehension and understanding of mathematics and natural sciences.

Studies have shown that 3,631 students in third grade and 3,775 sixth graders have shown deficiencies in mathematics, Spanish and science. Education union leader Humberto Montero said that outside influences, such as breakdowns in the family and issues with education infrastructure have contribu