Schools across Panama’s Herrera Province are fully prepared to welcome students for the start of the 2026 academic year this coming Monday, March 2. Regional Education Director Deysi Atencio confirmed that 171 educational centers and more than 1,800 teachers stand ready to receive nearly 21,000 students.
Extensive preparations and coordination with various government institutions over recent months have ensured all facilities meet operational standards. Officials conducted final verification tours of multiple schools this past Saturday, February 28, to confirm optimal conditions for the return of students and staff.
“A series of adjustments have been made in recent months in partnership with some Government institutions, and this has motivated all educational campuses in Herrera Province to be ready for the educational process,” said Atencio. [Translated from Spanish]
The final stages of the government’s Summer Maintenance Plan are now wrapping up. Work at 58 schools under this initiative is reportedly 80 percent complete. These efforts are critical for addressing infrastructure needs before the first bell rings.
New Programs and Pending Projects
A key development for the 2026 school year is the launch of a Science Baccalaureate program at the La Arena Educational Center. Atencio expressed enthusiasm for this addition, which meets a long-standing community demand for expanded local academic offerings.
Not all projects will be ready for day one, however. At the Boca de Parita Educational Center, the contracted company has requested an additional month to deliver the completed facilities. Meanwhile, a project in the Los Pozos district remains tied up in a legal process, halting construction until a resolution is reached.
School-level administrators are reporting positive conditions. Jonathan De Gracia, director of Los Canelos School, shared his satisfaction with the pre-year readiness. His sentiment reflects a broader provincial push to minimize disruptions to learning from the very first day.
“We are very happy about the start of the school year, especially because we have a complete teaching staff. Also, regarding maintenance, the institution is almost at 100 percent and ready to prepare the students,” De Gracia stated. [Translated from Spanish]
The preparations in Herrera Province are part of a larger national effort. Across Panama, the Ministry of Education of Panama is overseeing the return of more than 876,000 students and 50,000 teachers to classrooms for the 2026 cycle.
Regional director Atencio and her team emphasize that their focus now shifts from preparation to execution. They aim to ensure a smooth and productive academic year for every student in the province starting next week.