Additional information
How much does it cost parents to send their children to high school or secondary school (“colegio”) per one year?

When a child finishes primary school (between 11 and 12 years of age), they are able to continue their studies at secondary school, which involves travelling to main town of the local canton or to the Capital of the province.

Most of the students attend secondary schools run by the state but only few of the best students are able to obtain a grant or an scholarship. Others attend private schools, which are generally more expensive.

New gouvernment has declared that education is free but only the registration fees and some few books are free. All other expenses are in charge of parents

For the year 2009 - 2010 the cost of sending a child to a state secondary school during the school year is:

Everyday uniform	US$ 25
Everyday shoes	US$ 14
Sports gear	US$ 36
Overall	US$ 12
Parade uniform (after the second year of secondary school)	US$ 26
Back pack	US$ 13
Total cost of uniforms	US$ 126
Daily lunch ($0.50/day X 200 days in the year)	US$ 100
Daily transport ($0.20/day X 200 days in the year)	US$ 40
Daily money asked by teachers for photocopies ($0.20/day X 200 days in the year)	US$ 40
ocational money asked by teacher for special events as camp days, ceremonies, visits, support to school projects ($5 X 20 times in the year)	US$ 100
Total daily and special expenses per year	US$ 280
Books	US$ 54
Stationery	US$ 25
Total books and stationery	US$ 79
Health exam and photos for registration	US$ 13
Registration	free
Special gift to the school or special party at the end of the year	US$ 15
Total administration costs	US$ 28
TOTAL YEARLY COST	US$ 513