Costa Rica’s educational scenario in times of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article collected information that describes Costa Rican educational scenario during the closing of schools due to COVID-19 pandemic. It is described the strategies the Ministry of Public Education embraced to have students engaged in the learning process, and how teachers and parents were coping to provide a meaningful and quality education to the students despite the lack of resources and infrastructure. The strategy MEP implemented was “Learning at Home,” which encompassed television and radio teaching, Microsoft Teams learning online platform, social media apps such as WhatsApp, digital resources, and autonomous didactic guides. Nonetheless, lack of the appropriate infrastructure, digital resources and digital skills hindered the continuation of the learning process for several pupils, exacerbating the existing social disparities that broadens the digital divide and educational gap.