Copyright, IAU, World Higher Education Database (WHED)

Panama - Education system

INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:
Universidad (University)
Instituto Superior (Higher Institute)
Centro de Estudios Superiores (Higher Studies Centre)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Bachiller
Maestro a Nivel Superior
Tcnico Superior
Licenciatura
Maestra
Doctorado

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:
Duration of compulsory education:
Age of entry: 4
Age of exit: 15
Structure of school system:
Pre-Primary
Age level from: 4
Primary
Type of school providing this education: Primary School
Length of program in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to: 12
Lower Secondary
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to: 15
Upper Secondary
Length of program in years: 3
Age level from: 16 to: 18
Certificate/diploma awarded: Diploma de Bachiller

School education:
Compulsory education lasts for eleven years and includes the pre-primary, primary and presecondary cycles. Primary education lasts for six years. Secondary education is divided into two
cycles. The first cycle covers three years of general education. The second consists of three years
of more specialized study and leads to the Diploma de Bachiller.
Higher education:
Higher education is mainly provided by universities, higher schools and institutes. There are both
public and private universities. Higher education is directed by the Ministry of Education but
controlled by the University of Panama by law. The Consejo de Rectores de Panama coordinates
some universities.
Main laws/decrees governing higher education:
Decree: Decreto 50 Year: 1999
Decree: Ley 16 Year: 1963
Decree: Ley 34 Year: 1995
Decree: Ley 47 Year: 1946
Academic year:
Classes from: Apr to: Dec
Long vacation from: Jan to: Mar
Languages of instruction: Spanish
Stages of studies:
Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level: Tcnico:
Higher technical and vocational studies are offered in Higher Studies Centres and institutes. They
offer two to three-year courses leading to the professional qualification of Tcnico. The
Universidad Tecnolgica confers a title of Tcnico after three years' study.
University level studies:
University level first stage: Licenciatura:
The Licenciatura is generally conferred after studies lasting between four and five years.
Professional titles are conferred in several fields, generally after five years (three in Nursing and
six in Medicine).
University level second stage: Maestra:
The Maestra is conferred after one to two years' further study beyond the Licenciatura. Students
must submit a thesis or other requirement.
University level third stage: Doctorado:
Teacher education:
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers
Primary school teachers are trained at Escuelas Normales (teacher training colleges). Students
enter the course after completing the first cycle of secondary education. The three-year course
leads to the Bachiller Pedaggico which is at the level of the Bachillerato. Then, they must study
another year to obtain the Maestro a Nivel Superior. They can also receive further training at
universities.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers are trained at the university where students obtain a Licenciatura
after four to five years and a teaching qualification - Ttulo de Profesor - generally after one
further year.

Non-traditional studies:
Distance higher education
Distance education is offered by the Universidad Interamericana de Educacin a Distancia
(UNIEDPA) and the Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de Panam (UNADP).
Lifelong higher education
Adult education is offered at Institutes and Universities.
Other forms of non-formal higher education
Special short courses (one to three years) leading to a Diploma or the title of Tcnico are offered
at the Instituto Nacional de Formacin Profesional (INAFORP).

NATIONAL BODIES
Administration & co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
Ministerio de Educacin (Ministry of Education)
Head: Miguel ngel Caizales, Minister
Apartado postal 0816-04049
Panama 3
Panama
Tel: +507 3176905
Fax: +507 3176171/ 3176021
WWW: http://www.meduca.gob.pa/
Consejo de Rectores de Panam (Council of Rectors of Panama)
Head: Salvado A. Rodrguez G., President
Albrook, Ancn, Edificio N 868
Panama
Panama
Tel: +507 3151601
EMail: consejo@cwpanama.net
WWW: http://www.pa/consejo

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Bachiller
Admission to university-level studies
Name of secondary school credential required: Bachiller
Alternatives to credentials: Certificado de Maestro de Nivel Superior
Entrance exams required: Entrance examination for some state universities.

Foreign students admission

Admission requirements: Foreign students must hold a Secondary School Leaving Certificate or its
equivalent.
Entry regulations: Foreign students must ask for information from Panamean consulates abroad.
Language requirements: Students must have a good knowledge of Spanish.
Recognition of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Vicerrectora de Investigacin y Postgrado
Head: Betty Ann de Catsambanis, Vice-Chancellor
Universidad de Panam - Campus Dr Octavio Mndez Pereira, El Cangrejo
Panama Estafeta Universitaria
Panama
Panama
Tel: +507 2644242
Fax: +507 2643733
EMail: viceipup@ancon.up.ac.pa
WWW: http://www.up.ac.pa
Deals with credential recognition for entry to: University
Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies
Name of agreement: Convention On the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Latin
America and the Caribbean
Year of signature: 1974
References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies
Title: Oportunidades de Estudio en las Instituciones de Educacin Superior en Panama
Publisher: IFARHU/CIDI (Apd postal 6367, Panam 5)

STUDENT LIFE
Main student services at national level
Unidad de Relaciones Internacionales, Ministerio de Educacin
Apartado 0816-04049
Cardenas-Corozal
Panama 3
Panama
Tel: +507 227-5989/ 227-5986
Student expenses and financial aid
Bodies providing information on student financial aid:
Centro de Informacin y Documentacin, Instituto para la Formacin y Aprovechamiento de
Recursos Humanos (IFARHU/CIDI)
Apartado 0816-01955
Va Espaa y calle Colombia, Edificio Torre IFARHU
Panam 5
Panama

Tel: +507 2696666

Fax: +507 2636101
EMail: Becasinternacionales@ifarhu.gob.pa
Deals with: Grants
Publications on student services and financial aid:
Title: Study Abroad 2005-2006
Publisher: UNESCO
Year of publication: 2005

GRADING SYSTEM
Usual grading system in secondary school
Full Description: 1-5
Highest on scale: 5
Pass/fail level: 3
Lowest on scale: 1
Main grading system used by higher education institutions
Full Description: 0-100 points as follows: 100-91 points=A (outstanding); 90-81 points=B (good); 8071 points=C (regular); 70-61points=D (minimum to pass); 60-0=F (failure).
Highest on scale: 100
Pass/fail level: 61
Lowest on scale: 0

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006
Source: IAU from Ministry of Education, Panama, 2006