Costa Rica Teacher's Day - November 23rd

As the Christmas holidays draw near, the schools, colleges and universities of Costa Rica have another celebration to look forward to, that of Costa Rica Teacher’s Day.

Schooling is free here and when students leave school, usually in the 11th grade, they receive a certificate for their attendance and academic achievements. Furthermore, the Central American country has one of the highest literacy rates in the continent – given as approximately 96%.

This high esteem given to education in Costa Rica will be displayed throughout the education community on this special day, November 23rd. Students have a multitude of ways available to them for showing their teacher appreciation – from the traditional giving of cards and gifts to the more culturally typical gastronomic treats or musical celebrations.

Inspired by the calypso rhythm of Costa Rican music, a class may choose to stage a show – involving the typical dances of meringue, soca or salsa – in honour of their teacher. To extend the example further, a video could be made of the show, featuring a personal message to the teacher from each pupil, communicating their appreciation for him/her.

For schools with a bigger budget, an exciting school trip could be organised to mark the day: Costa Rica is renowned for its national parks and wildlife, to take advantage of them with a group of young and enthusiastic learners would be a memorable experience any educator would relish.

However one chooses to celebrate Costa Rica Teacher’s day – be it in Costa Rica or in a “sister” of one of the nation’s cities (San José for example is sistered with, amongst other cities, Manchester, UK and Miami-Dade County in the US) – one can ensure that they are honouring a rich heritage of teaching and educational development. A perfect and timely excuse to show your teacher appreciation!