The Ministry of Education (Minerd) is dramatically expanding its “English for a Better Life” program, aiming to benefit hundreds of thousands of students with critical language skills. The initiative, which includes a new digital platform for self-study, will be implemented in 321 new schools this year, bringing the total to 465.
This expansion is projected to provide language training to an additional 150,000 students, raising the total number of participants to 200,000. The program was first launched last year, reaching 50,000 high school seniors in 144 schools across the country. Its core objective is to equip students with the English proficiency needed to enhance their academic and professional opportunities after graduation.
The “English for a Better Life” program is a key part of the current administration’s 2025-2028 goals, and a central pillar of Minister of Education Luis Miguel De Camps’ strategic roadmap. The digital platform is a crucial component of this push, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology for broader educational access.
During a two-day conference for school directors and regional education staff, Vice Minister of Technical and Pedagogical Affairs Ancell Scheker emphasized the importance of the program.
María Elena O’Rourke, the administrative coordinator for the English Unit, highlighted the role of the educators in attendance, who will serve as “replicators” to ensure the program’s successful expansion.
“The Ministry of Education has taken the step it needed to take,” O’Rourke said. “We are bringing together technology, the acquisition of a foreign language, and contact with different cultures for our young people. The time has come, and we are ready to move forward.”
The program utilizes the Education First (EF) platform, which uses advanced technology and teaching methods to create a flexible and accessible learning environment for both students and teachers.
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Ministry of Education
11 September 2025