Private Schools May Reopen Tuesday if Safety Is Guaranteed, MEDUCA Says
PANAMA CITY, October 13, 2026 — Panama’s Ministry of Education has said private schools may resume classes on Tuesday only if they can guarantee the safety of students, teachers and the wider school community after the October 9 earthquake. Public-sector schools remain closed while inspections continue.
The distinction reflects the need for each school to make reopening decisions based on its own physical condition and the results of professional safety reviews. Authorities said a decision on public schools would be announced separately after further evaluations.
Safety is the condition for reopening
MEDUCA said the country’s 894 private schools may reopen if they are able to ensure safe conditions for approximately 140,000 students and 11,000 teachers. The instruction is not a blanket declaration that every campus is ready; it places responsibility on school leadership to verify conditions before students return.
Families should therefore check directly with their schools for official reopening notices, any changed schedules and information about access to specific buildings or areas of a campus.
Why public schools remain closed
Authorities said inspections of public-school structures are still underway. The government update listed 619 schools affected across 15 educational regions, ranging from lighter damage to severe cases that require more detailed technical attention.
In an emergency, reopening a school is not simply a calendar decision. It involves checking structural conditions, access routes, water and sanitation, evacuation arrangements and the ability of staff to operate safely. Officials have asked the public to avoid circulating unverified claims about school status.
What parents and staff should do
Parents should rely on notices issued by their school and MEDUCA rather than social-media rumors. If a school reopens, families should follow any access, arrival or safety guidance issued by the institution. Where a school remains closed, the latest official announcement should be treated as the operational instruction.
