From Monday through August 8th, parents with preschool children will need to approach schools to formalize the pre-registration process for the 2018 school year. It is part of the changes stipulated by the Ministry of Public Education ( MEP).
Last May, the Higher Education Council agreed to amend the Regulations for Student Enrollment and Transfers. The main variant is the decrease in the age of admission.
The MEP establishes that the ages of admission to the school year are as follows:
• Mother and Child Cycle (Interactive Group II): 4 years of age to February 15th
• Transition Cycle : 5 years of age to February 15th
• First Year of Basic General Education : 6 years of age to 15 February
According to Guiselle Alpízar, head of the Department of Early Childhood Education, changes apply only to children entering the education system for the first time . She also said that as of the year 2020 it will be a requirement for enrollment for first grade.
According to Alpízar the changes respond to the need to have an educational system that is at the forefront of international stipulations. The changes will only be in the enrollment process and not at the curricular level.