PANAMA has taken the first step in a program to renovate 350 schools whose structures have languished without repairs for years, On Monday, August 3, President Juan Carlos Varela.

along with Minister of Education Marcela Vásquez de Paredes, gave the formal order to proceed with work on the República de Francia School in Cerro Batea, San Miguelito.
The work will cost $2.1 million and will consist of the construction of three classrooms, athletic courts, walls and improvements to the electrical system and landscaping. The contract was granted to the company Pan America Construction Corp.
Varela announced he has created a third deputy minister position to be in charge of infrastructure. The other two deputy minister positions are focused on curriculum and administration.