Panama's Electoral Tribunal hosts in-house school for employees to complete high school

Fifty-six officials from Panama's Electoral Tribunal and the General Electoral Prosecutor's Office are now attending classes within their workplace to complete their secondary education. This initiative, established through an agreement with the Ministry of Education (Meduca), allows employees to pursue their studies without disrupting their work schedules.

Classes are held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. within the Electoral Tribunal's facilities. Érida Morales, national director of Youth and Adult Education at Meduca, explained that the goal is to offer a second chance to individuals who, for various reasons, could not finish their academic training. The program covers grades seven through twelve, offering a commercial baccalaureate.

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The Ministry of Education and the Electoral Tribunal are entering into an inter-institutional agreement so that our collaborators at the Electoral Tribunal can benefit from the complete educational trajectory. Those who have not completed their basic education and those who have not completed their middle education can do so.

Morales highlighted that participants can transition directly from their work duties to the classroom. Meduca provides the instructors, eliminating the need for employees to travel elsewhere for their education. This model, which has been in place since 2009, has previously benefited employees at institutions like the Social Security Fund, the Post Office, the National Police, Santo Tomás Hospital, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Yara Campos, institutional executive director of the Electoral Tribunal, emphasized the program's benefits for both the employees and the institution. She noted that many participants had interrupted their studies due to family and work obligations, and this opportunity allows them to finally obtain their pending degrees. The program may also be extended to other regions of the country to reach more public servants.

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It is never too late to learn. There is always that opportunity, and it will not only benefit them but also the institution, which will have more qualified personnel.