Education

Panama’s students rate poorly in regional exam

David Mesa/LA PRENSA

underfunded:Tests conducted by UNESCO are being used to examine how economics impacts education.1047375

Panama's education system has received a poor grade based on the results of standardized tests given to students in third and sixth grades.

The tests were part of a UNESCO program titled “The Secundo Estudio Regional Comparativo y Explicativo (Serce).” It was given to 13,000 students at schools across the country, and to more than 200,000 students at more than 3,000 schools in 17 countries.

In general, Panama's students did poorly. For example, in the sixth grade math test, 70 percent of Panama's students registered in the bottom half of the grading system.

UNESCO officials said that tests confirmed what was already widely assumed, namely that students from poorer countries performed worse than their counterparts from more developed areas.

According to UNESCO officials, the tests will be used to study educational trends on a socio-economic basis, and “to reduce the learning gap associated with social inequality.”

Panama's education officials expressed their disappointment with the test results, especially since the country has made significant investments in its education system.