The Textbook Shortage
You have probably read it on numerous occasions and were impressed with the statistic that Costa Rica has a literacy rate of approximately 97%. That’s quite impressive, especially against the 84.62% world rate. It is a small country with an appetite for education and that’s a good thing. Education shapes the future of any country. However, over the last 10 years, there has been a shortage of textbooks available in the classroom. For the most part, it is the parent’s responsibility to supply the required books but, there are always instances where the families cannot afford them or they are simply not available. Some schools have no books to supply and the existence of libraries, especially in rural communities, is scarce to none.
The pandemic (2020-2022) aggravated this situation further with schools being closed and access to education limited. For those children in their young formative years, this can be a great setback, not just for them but for the educational development of the country as a whole.
The State of Education 2021 Report stated that, as of 2019, only 16% of public primary schools have a library. There have been initiatives in place since 2014 to train teachers and supply them with the tools such as libraries and textbook donations but, this is a very slow process. Only certain schools can qualify by having 80 to 100 students, a principal who is dedicated to the program, and the basics such as walls, windows, a ceiling, and a fresh coat of paint. Since 2014, 9 libraries have approximately 7800 donated books that have reached 800 children. That is over a span of 10 years. Will Costa Rica maintain its literacy rate going forward? We need to move faster.
Are Textbooks Evolving to Ebooks?
The problem with textbooks is that several students need access to the books at the same time. The books are expensive and difficult to distribute to remote areas in the quantities necessary. The logistics can be challenging. If the schools qualify to have a library, they will need someone to administrate it, ensuring that all students get access to the required readings and that books are returned on time. The educational model that hinges on physical textbooks faces significant strains particularly in a country like Costa Rica that has a diverse, geographical and topographical landscape.
It’s neither easy nor convenient to try and read a book over someone’s shoulder. There are seldom enough copies of a book to go around. The MEP (Ministry of Public Education) establishes a library minimum of six books per student in first to third grade and nine per student in fourth to sixth grade. It is estimated that only 12.5% of these libraries have more than 10 books per student. That’s a shortfall of five books per student. One laptop and a projector can suffice in a classroom situation giving all students access to online reading and the teacher’s curriculum. Since everything is web-based the children would still have access to the materials at home through a laptop, tablet, or cell phone. Most families in Costa Rica have access to at least one of these devices even if they are in rural areas. There are many programs that collect old computers and cell phones for donation to those in need.
But that point becomes irrelevant if there is no internet access. Without a stable internet connection, the e-learning platform becomes useless.
Internet Connectivity for Schools via Satellite
The advent of satellite internet proposes an innovative solution. Since 2022 at least one ISP (Internet Service Provider) started to address the problem of internet connectivity in remote communities. In many instances, there are not enough students to qualify for a local library. Internet via satellite can connect this “forgotten” population quickly and with a minimal technical crew in a very timely manner. What could take years to establish an infrastructure with terrestrial internet can be accomplished in a matter of weeks with high-speed satellite internet. The process can take just a few hours per location and can provide communications for schools, medical, and emergency services. In small rural communities, these services may all be at the same location so, one installation can serve a multitude of purposes. Realizing that not all remote communities have the financial resources to employ satellite internet for their schools and communities, the Global Connectivity Fund is addressing this concern with a cooperative effort of several international ISPs. The fund’s objective is to deliver internet connectivity via satellite broadband internet to hard-to-reach places; locations where traditional internet is not possible. There will always be a need for libraries as resource centers and venues for community gatherings but even these should have internet access. Today’s educational system is evolving at a rapid rate and Costa Rica must keep pace.
We Have a Responsibility
As global citizens, we cannot ignore the trajectory our world is on. Closing the digital divide between rural and remote areas is what the Global Connectivity Fund is poised to achieve. Connectivity via satellite internet can bring communication between communities and countries worldwide. The more we share information, the more we will continue to grow. And not just a select few, but anyone that has the desire to go beyond their current parameters.
In 2021, 265 million laptops were sold globally. That does not include desktop computers, tablets or cell phones. It stands to reason this can only increase, making the internet the platform for many essential jobs now and going forward. Children need to be equipped for what lies ahead. Some families may feel indifferent towards the internet and that is their prerogative. Opinions about internet connectivity may vary however, we need to give the children a voice, and an opportunity to make that choice.
With the assistance of government, public, and private initiatives, we can connect everyone. And with the reinforcement of the school system and the parents, we can ensure that students use their newfound connectivity responsibly.
