Summary.
The bill amends Article 61 of Law 34 of 1995, which supersedes Article 64 of Law 47 of 1946 and corresponds to Article 64 of the consolidated text of the Organic Education Law in Executive Decree 305 of 2004. The proposed wording describes the regular subsystem as formal or systematic education serving school populations of children, young people and adults, with participation by their families. It also covers people who require special education through formal and non-formal modes of instruction. The article retains the reference to the country’s educational goals, purposes, objectives and policies, and to the legal framework supporting the subsystem.
The proposed structure retains three levels of education. The first, general basic education, is universal, free of charge and compulsory, lasts eleven (11) years, and includes preschool education for children aged four (4) to five (5), lasting two (2) years; primary education, lasting six (6) years; and lower secondary education, lasting three (3) years. The second level, secondary education, would likewise be defined as universal, free of charge and compulsory, lasting three (3) years. The third level comprises higher education at the postsecondary, non-university and university stages. The provision thus expressly places compulsory secondary education within the structure of the regular subsystem.
Article 2 repeals the paragraph attached to Article 64 and Article 67 as they appear in Executive Decree 305 of April 30, 2004, which the bill identifies as the consolidated text of Law 47 of 1946. In describing that consolidated text, the bill refers to amendments made by Law 34 of 1995, Law 50 of 2002 and Law 60 of 2003. The repeal addresses the two provisions identified in the bill. Article 3 separately provides that second-level education, or secondary education, will be free of charge and compulsory for all Panamanian students after they have satisfactorily completed lower secondary studies. That rule links entry into this level to completion of the preceding studies in the educational sequence set out in Article 1. Article 4 provides for the proposed law to enter into force one school year after its publication.
The bill concerns public administration of education and schools providing preschool, primary, lower secondary and secondary education. It could also be of interest to Panamanian students, their families, and those involved in educating children, young people, adults and people who require special education.
What it proposes.
- Structure of the regular education subsystem.
- Universal, free and compulsory secondary education.
- Progression from lower secondary to secondary education.
Who it would affect.
- Panamanian students who satisfactorily complete lower secondary education.
- School populations of children, young people and adults.
- Schools in the regular education subsystem.
Key points.
- Rewords Article 64 of the Organic Education Law by amending Article 61 of Law 34 of 1995.Art. 1
- Describes the regular subsystem and formal and non-formal education for people who require special education.Art. 1
- Organizes general basic education into preschool, primary and lower secondary stages, making it universal, free of charge and compulsory.Art. 1
- Defines secondary education as a universal, free and compulsory second level lasting three (3) years.Art. 1
- Repeals the paragraph attached to Article 64 and Article 67 of the consolidated text identified in the bill.Art. 2
- Makes secondary education free of charge and compulsory for Panamanian students who satisfactorily complete lower secondary education.Art. 3
- Sets entry into force one school year after publication.Art. 4