The dual education modality received a push to become a reality in the country: On Thursday, President Carlos Alvarado signed the law that regulates this educational model.
The dual education modality allows students to train in two learning areas: an institution of professional technical education and training, and a training company.
The President signed the law at Grupo Vargas, a company of almost 220 workers in graphic arts and that in recent years has welcomed 50 students from the National Learning Institute (INA) to put their knowledge into practice, acquire experience and generate resources.
The legislation that regulates this educational model was approved by the legislators on August 12th.
According to the approved text, the Higher Education Council will be the body that approves the dual education policy that will govern public and private educational centers that provide formal technical education, as well as in educational centers that provide higher education for university students.
It states that the National Learning Institute (INA) will include dual vocational training in its information offer, that public universities will promote dual higher education programs and that it will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).
The law seeks to provide students with the skills, knowledge, abilities, and attitudes that allow them to incorporate and adapt to a changing work world, as well as acquire professional experience under alternate real learning environments between educational centers and companies or centers of training for employability.
The law establishes obligations for both students, companies and training centers. Among other things, the educational centers are obliged to provide students, once the program is finished, proof of competence in accordance with the evaluation they have made for such purposes. They must also issue a diploma in accordance with the provisions of the National Qualifications Framework and current regulations.
Students, for their part, have the right to be recognized and respected within the company or training center for employability. They must be in an environment free of all types of discrimination and harassment and be visited in the company or training center for employability by teachers assigned by the educational center to which they belong, for which they must previously coordinate with at least 24 hours in advance. They must also have the required personal security elements by the company or training center for employability.
For their part, companies must cover students with policies and provide students with the means and other training resources available.
They must also comply with the obligations established in the Code of Childhood and Adolescence and the Law Against Sexual Harassment in Employment and Dual Teaching and ensure adequate physical space for students where they are assured of the protection of their physical,moral and psychological integrity.