A total of 24,680 Panamanian students started a mandatory academic recovery program on Monday, January 5. The students failed to pass one or more subjects during the 2025 school year and must now complete the intensive course to advance to the next grade.
The program, known as the Student Academic Recovery Program (PRAE), is administered by the country’s Ministry of Education of Panama. Officials are hosting classes at 86 schools across all 16 of the nation’s educational regions.
Edwin Gordón, the General Director of Education, confirmed the enrollment figures. He noted that registration ran from December 29 through January 2, prompting significant mobilization from families. “Many still approached the centers to obtain their report cards and complete registration,” Gordón said. The demand in areas like San Miguelito was so high that a second school had to be opened to accommodate all students.
Social Sciences Emerge as Most-Failed Subject
This year’s recovery program revealed a surprising trend for education authorities. The subject with the highest number of students requiring a retake was Social Sciences. This outcome defied expectations, as mathematics and physics have traditionally topped the list of most-failed subjects.
“We were surprised that Social Sciences became the subject with the most enrollees. We are going to conduct a study to better understand this trend,” added Gordón. [Translated from Spanish]
The finding has prompted the ministry to plan a formal analysis. Understanding why so many students struggled with Social Sciences could influence future curriculum and teaching methods.
The recovery process itself will last six weeks. Five weeks are dedicated to intensive classes, with the final week of February 9-11 reserved for final examinations. Gordón stated the current number of participating students is similar to last year’s figures. His team is still working to determine how many eligible students did not enroll in the PRAE program at all.
Regional Enrollment and a Call for Parental Involvement
The region with the highest concentration of students in the recovery program is Panamá Oeste Province. Approximately 3,500 students from that area are enrolled, surpassing traditional high-participation regions like Chiriquí and Colón.
Beyond the statistics, Gordón emphasized a crucial factor for student success. He issued a direct call for consistent parental involvement throughout the entire school year, not just during crises.
“Parental support should not be limited to the third trimester, when problems are already more difficult to solve. Support must be constant from the first day of classes,” the official stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Gordón urged parents to attend school meetings and monitor their children’s academic progress proactively. He argued that early and sustained engagement is fundamental. The ministry’s goal with the PRAE is to ensure students can meet promotion requirements without their long-term academic progress being derailed. Officials acknowledge the challenge ahead but express hope that with proper support, students can overcome the difficulties of the previous year.