Increased education budget but system failing

PUBLIC EXPENDITURE on education in Panama  climbs  every year, but  the results in the quality of teaching, graduation rates and  post  school employment are failing to meet their objectives, with a  50%  dropping out of high school .

Panama ranked below average in assessments carried out in 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in math, reading and science, and , statistics from the Comptroller General show that half of young people do not finish high school, reports La Prensa.

Because of this, many young people are not qualified for jobs being created, many of which require at least a high school diploma.

“This means that a lot of young people annually face a labor market for which they are not prepared,” said education consultant René Quevedo. “The problem is not resources, but of relevance. Our education system is divorced from the reality of the work available in the country.”

The Ministry of Education is the largest government entity, employing 25 percent of the public workforce and responsible 18 percent of the salaries. Some 56,500 people are employed in public education.