Lucy Molinar announced her education minister resignation on Wednesday, ending her second stint as head of Panama’s Ministry of Education after 25 months. She said the controversy surrounding a computer procurement program had generated too much noise, and stepping aside would give investigators room to clarify the process. Molinar met with President José Raúl Mulino before making her decision public.
Reasons Behind the Education Minister Resignation
Flanked by regional education directors, Molinar framed her departure as a personal choice rather than the result of an internal government conflict. She acknowledged that public discussion of the computer purchases had become a distraction.
“There is a lot of noise in some issues, particularly the issue of the computers. I prefer to step aside so that everything can be investigated well and clarified, and to make way for a new administration.” [Translated from Spanish]
She added that she had put her post at the president’s disposal and described the decision as one that deserves respect.
“There is a personal decision that we have to respect.” [Translated from Spanish]
Computer Procurement Review and Legal Next Steps
Molinar defended the computer acquisition process as transparent, while stating that the Public Ministry should determine whether any irregularity occurred. She confirmed that she personally asked the Public Ministry to carry out the investigation.
“Personally, I have asked the Public Ministry to carry out the investigation.” [Translated from Spanish]
The former minister did not rule out filing legal action over accusations against her. She blamed what she called deliberate misinformation and said she would wait for the investigations to conclude.
“Truth and lies have no space in the same place. The truth always comes out, but I am free to file the complaints that correspond.” [Translated from Spanish]
Back-to-Back Leadership Departures
The education minister resignation came one day after Roberto Sevillano confirmed his own exit as administrative vice minister of the Ministry of Education. Sevillano oversaw purchasing, maintenance, technology and other support functions, though no official reasons for his departure were disclosed.
Molinar was designated for the post on May 29, 2024 by then president-elect Mulino and assumed office on July 1 of that year. Her first term at the Ministry of Education ran from 2009 to 2014. During her announcement, regional education directors stood alongside her, signaling continuity among the ministry’s operational leadership.
Education Programs and Continuity Plans
Molinar said the work begun during her tenure remains in motion and that her exit would actually help those processes continue. She credited her team with building a new system and avoided claiming personal ownership of the results.
“I do not leave any legacy. The team has built a new system with solid processes, with solid structure, that allows Education to improve.” [Translated from Spanish]
Among the advances she listed were curriculum updates, teacher training, the recovery of infrastructure projects and efforts to narrow the technology gap. She also said President Mulino thanked her for her work and stressed the need for continuity in education programs.
“Being glued to the chair is the great mistake of many, which I do not want to make.” [Translated from Spanish]
Her departure places Panama’s education reform agenda under fresh scrutiny as the Public Ministry reviews computer contracts and the government prepares to name new leadership. With major initiatives underway, the next administration will inherit both the momentum and the unanswered questions that prompted Molinar to step aside.