Summary.
The bill establishes the National Program for Education in Values, Corruption Prevention, Ethics, Environmental Awareness, Nondiscrimination and Patriotism at every educational level in public and private schools throughout the Republic of Panama. It defines the concepts used in the program and sets out principles of comprehensive education, integration of values across the curriculum, participation by school communities, social responsibility, sustainability and respect for diversity. The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación), also called MEDUCA, would coordinate the program with the Ministry of Environment (Ministerio de Ambiente), also called MIAMBIENTE, the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (Autoridad Nacional de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información), also called ANTAI, and other state bodies.
The program would cover ethical values; public integrity, transparency, accountability and corruption prevention; climate change, natural resources and biodiversity; patriotism and civic education; nondiscrimination; and community projects with social and environmental aims. The Ministry of Education would adapt the curriculum at every level of formal education to include these subjects in each course and develop dedicated courses. It would also provide mandatory teacher training in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, the transparency authority and other institutions. Schools would use interdisciplinary projects, simulations, debates, field trips and civic activities as teaching methods.
The Ministry of Education would prepare teaching materials, organize continuing teacher training and oversee implementation through educational inspections and audits. The Ministry of Environment would supply materials, assist with reforestation, waste management, recycling and conservation activities, and develop programs on climate change, the circular economy and renewable energy. The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information would prepare guides and educational activities on public ethics, reporting mechanisms and accountability, and collaborate on awareness campaigns. The Ministry of Social Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Social) would coordinate family training, nondiscrimination workshops and social integration projects, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
Civil society organizations and the private sector could form partnerships with the education system, sponsor initiatives and provide resources or technical support. Parents, students and administrative staff would participate in school ethics and values committees, community activities and action plans addressing challenges at each school. The Ministry of Education would establish an implementation plan no later than twelve (12) months after promulgation, covering a curriculum timetable, regional teams, resources and participating institutions.
The Ministry of Education would conduct periodic evaluations using indicators, surveys and interviews. It would submit publicly accessible annual reports to the National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional) and use the findings to adjust the curriculum and teaching activities. It would also coordinate with state bodies, international organizations, civil society organizations and businesses; the state could enter into cooperation agreements to obtain technical and financial assistance. Annual appropriations from the general state budget would fund the program, which could also receive donations and contributions. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo), acting through the Ministry of Education, would issue implementing regulations no later than six (6) months after promulgation; the bill provides for the proposed law to take effect upon promulgation.
Under the responsibilities it assigns, the bill concerns the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Environment, the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, the Ministry of Social Development, the National Assembly and the Executive Branch. Its provisions could affect or interest public and private schools, teachers, students, families, communities, civil society organizations and private businesses.
What it proposes.
- Creation and content of a national education in values program.
- Curriculum integration and teacher training in ethics, the environment, civic education and nondiscrimination.
- Institutional duties, community participation and program evaluation.
- Funding, implementing regulations and commencement.
Who it would affect.
- Public and private schools at every educational level.
- Teachers, students, parents and school administrative staff.
- Public bodies responsible for coordinating and carrying out the program.
- Civil society organizations and private entities that participate in its implementation.
Key points.
- Establishes a national program for every level of public and private schools and defines its principles and educational subjects.Arts. 1-5
- Requires curriculum integration and mandatory teacher training, and provides for participatory teaching methods.Arts. 6-8
- Assigns educational, environmental, transparency and social development bodies duties concerning materials, training, activities and community support.Arts. 9-12
- Provides for civil society, private sector and school community participation through partnerships, school committees, community activities and action plans.Arts. 13-14
- Requires an implementation plan no later than twelve (12) months after promulgation and periodic evaluations with public annual reports.Arts. 15-16
- Provides for ongoing coordination among institutions and permits international cooperation agreements for technical and financial assistance.Arts. 17-18
- Sets out funding sources, a regulatory deadline of no later than six (6) months, and commencement upon promulgation.Arts. 19-21