Panamanian education authorities confirmed that 35 public schools were completely destroyed by Friday’s earthquake, as officials continue evaluating earthquake school damage across affected regions. Education Minister Ventura Vega said Tuesday that a list of certified safe facilities will be released before classes resume Wednesday, October 14.
The announcement keeps all public schools closed through Tuesday, October 13, while inspectors determine which buildings can safely accommodate students and teachers. Vega acknowledged that reopening will proceed on a school-by-school basis depending on structural conditions.
Imágenes del Centro Educativo en El Copé, provincia de Coclé tras #Sismo #Panamá registrado ayer viernes. @MeducaPma https://t.co/7787r28Pck
— 🇵🇦 Sistema de Alertas y Emergencias Panamá (@SistemaDeAlerta) October 10, 2026
Earthquake School Damage Assessment Continues
The ministry has identified the 35 lost schools within their respective educational regions, but evaluation efforts remain ongoing. Officials are still determining whether additional facilities in the country’s interior provinces meet minimum safety standards for occupancy.
“There are several schools that we have already certified can open; tomorrow we will announce them,” said Vega [Translated from Spanish].
The certification process involves structural reviews of buildings affected by the seismic event. Schools that fail inspection will remain closed until repairs or alternative arrangements are completed.
Official Reopening Timeline and Safety Protocols
Wednesday’s planned reopening applies only to facilities that pass inspection. The Ministry of Education has not specified how many of the country’s public schools fall into that category, but Vega indicated that announcements would provide clarity for families and staff.
“We have 35 schools that no longer exist. Those schools were lost. We have them well identified in the corresponding educational regions,” Vega stated [Translated from Spanish].
For schools in interior regions still under review, no reopening date has been set. Authorities said safety determinations will dictate the timeline rather than a uniform national schedule.
Regional Impact and Next Steps
The destruction of 35 facilities represents a significant loss for affected communities already dealing with earthquake recovery. Education officials face immediate pressure to find temporary learning spaces for displaced students while longer-term reconstruction planning begins.
Parents and teachers across affected provinces await the certified school list expected Tuesday. The ministry has not detailed contingency plans for students whose schools were destroyed, though officials said regional education directors are coordinating responses.
Seismic activity in the region has prompted broader discussions about building code enforcement for public infrastructure. The Ministry of Education’s inspection process may extend beyond immediate earthquake damage to address pre-existing structural vulnerabilities in older school buildings.