Dressed for School
Costa Rica is very proud of it's education system and stresses education very strongly. After being here only for a short time you can't help but notice the children on their way to school, mainly because uniforms are mandatory for all public schools. There seems to be different uniforms for different ages from powder blue shirts and navy pants to sage green golf shirts and black pants. They really do look nice when you see them walking down the streets, laughing and talking as kids should.
We've also noticed that their day starts early, usually at 7:00 am and goes to anywhere between 1:00 and 4:00. Many of the students use the public buses for getting home as Rob and I witnessed when we got on the bus to Turrucares at the stop by the local elementary school. What a packed bus that was and the energy level was high and loud, typical of most children that age.
Having our closest bus stop by the school here in La Garita we have had time to observe school activities. Physical fitnesses seems to be a big part of the learning process and we have seen children of all ages doing relay races, playing tag, dodge ball and of course the national past-time, soccer. Even after hours it is quite common to see boys out in the soccer field practicing and possibly dreaming of the big leagues. We have been told that english and computer skills are mandatory in the public system as is attendance.
The children here in Costa Rica by and large are friendly, helpful and polite. Quick to say "hola" when they meet you on the street, they don't seem to let any language barrier stop them from trying to communicate with you. It is amazing how a smile, some hand gestures, their bit of english and our bit of spanish can keep a conversation going!!
We've also noticed that their day starts early, usually at 7:00 am and goes to anywhere between 1:00 and 4:00. Many of the students use the public buses for getting home as Rob and I witnessed when we got on the bus to Turrucares at the stop by the local elementary school. What a packed bus that was and the energy level was high and loud, typical of most children that age.
Having our closest bus stop by the school here in La Garita we have had time to observe school activities. Physical fitnesses seems to be a big part of the learning process and we have seen children of all ages doing relay races, playing tag, dodge ball and of course the national past-time, soccer. Even after hours it is quite common to see boys out in the soccer field practicing and possibly dreaming of the big leagues. We have been told that english and computer skills are mandatory in the public system as is attendance.
The children here in Costa Rica by and large are friendly, helpful and polite. Quick to say "hola" when they meet you on the street, they don't seem to let any language barrier stop them from trying to communicate with you. It is amazing how a smile, some hand gestures, their bit of english and our bit of spanish can keep a conversation going!!
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