Summary.
The bill establishes Basic Learning Standards (EBA) as benchmarks for what students should know and be able to do at each school level. It would apply to public and private institutions providing formal education in the Republic of Panama. It defines, among other terms, educational quality, basic competencies, data, standards, skills and tests, as well as the financial, human and technical resources associated with implementation.
The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) would establish EBA that all schools must adopt and comply with from preschool through twelfth grade. The standards would be comparable with international standards while applying to Panamanian conditions. Schools could set more demanding objectives if they teach the EBA. The Ministry would have six (6) months to develop them with experts in pedagogy and the relevant subjects. It would update them every three (3) years in light of changes and needs in the productive sector or recommendations arising from national and international assessments.
Within two (2) months after drafting the EBA, the Ministry of Education would disseminate them to schools, distribute them in physical and digital formats to active teachers, and publish them on its official website and in educational repositories. The same procedure and period would apply after an update. Every curriculum subject would have standards for each grade. The Ministry would develop and revise study programs to reflect the required competencies and, in coordination with pedagogical experts, provide teaching guides and supporting materials before the school year begins.
Institutional teaching approaches would have to align with the EBA, which would guide the planning and delivery of instruction. Teacher training centers and universities would adjust their teacher education curricula to teach students how to use the standards. The Ministry of Education would ensure that guides and physical and audiovisual materials reach schools on time and in accessible formats suited to different regions and educational settings. Privately produced textbooks would have eight (8) months to make changes or adjustments arising from recommendations received for new versions and updates.
The Ministry would introduce continuous assessment mechanisms, including standardized tests, qualitative assessments and continuing teacher education. The Educator Training and Welfare Institute (Instituto de Perfeccionamiento y Bienestar del Educador), working with the Ministry, would provide ongoing training, workshops and other educational activities. Both institutions would have three (3) months after the EBA are created to design general and subject-specific training, to be offered each year during school vacations and in short sessions during the school calendar. The bill provides for entry into force upon promulgation and directs the Executive Branch to issue implementing regulations within no more than two months. Its provisions concern the Ministry of Education, the Educator Training and Welfare Institute and the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional), and could interest public and private schools, teachers, students, universities, teacher training centers and schoolbook publishers.
What it proposes.
- Basic learning standards for each subject and grade.
- Development, revision and dissemination of the EBA.
- Curriculum alignment, teaching materials and teacher education.
- Continuous assessment of learning.
Who it would affect.
- Public and private institutions providing formal education.
- Students and teachers in the national education system.
- Teacher training centers and universities.
- Private entities that produce textbooks.
Key points.
- The EBA would apply to formal education provided by public and private institutions in the Republic of Panama.Arts. 1-2
- The bill defines educational concepts and the resources used to implement and assess the EBA.Art. 3
- The Ministry of Education would establish mandatory EBA from preschool through twelfth grade while allowing schools to set more demanding objectives.Art. 4
- The Ministry would have six (6) months to develop the EBA and would update them every three (3) years under the stated criteria.Art. 5
- The EBA would be disseminated and distributed to schools and teachers within two (2) months of drafting or revision.Art. 6
- Each subject would have standards for every grade, and study programs would be developed and revised accordingly.Arts. 7-8
- The Ministry would provide guides and materials before the school year, while teaching approaches and teacher education curricula would align with the EBA.Arts. 9-10
- The Ministry would implement continuous assessment through standardized tests, qualitative assessments and teacher education.Art. 12