Manitas Activas Kindergarten educational center closed in San José

The Executive Branch of Costa Rica, through Executive Decree 45884-MEP, revoked the official recognition of the Centro Educativo Jardín de Niños Manitas Activas, located in Paso Ancho, San José, following the definitive closure of the center due to a lack of active enrollment. The provision was signed by the President of the Republic, Laura Fernández Delgado, and the Minister of Public Education, José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández, and was published in the Official Gazette La Gaceta No. 174 on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, page 7.

The decree repeals Executive Decree 29786-MEP of August 10, 2001, published in La Gaceta No. 180 on September 19, 2001, through which recognition had been granted to the center for Preschool Education, specifically for the Maternal-Infant Cycle Interactive Group II and the Transition Cycle.

Origin of the closure

The closure process was initiated by the owner of the center, Nury Isabel Barboza Rojas, identity card number 1-0536-0785, who, via a written request dated April 27, 2026, requested the definitive closure effective February 9, 2026, due to a lack of active enrollment. The administrative file included the formal request, the certification of accredited levels, general information about the center, legal personality documentation, verifications regarding social security contributions, and a sworn statement indicating that the center has no active students, nor students in deferred status, nor pending curricular adaptations.

The process was reviewed by the Directorate of Private Education of the Ministry of Public Education, which forwarded the file to its legal advisor and the Technical Analysis Department, obtaining the approval to proceed with the definitive closure procedure.

Location and scope of the measure

The educational center was located in San José, San José canton, San Sebastián district, Paso Ancho, San Gerardo neighborhood, in front of the La Vencedora grocery store, and belonged to the Regional Directorate of Education of San José Central, Educational Circuit 01.

From the effective date of the decree, the center may not offer or provide educational services based on the repealed decree, nor issue certifications, statements, or academic documents invoking the revoked accreditation. Any eventual reopening or new educational offering must be managed according to the current procedures and requirements before the Directorate of Private Education.

Obligations and registration effects

The Directorate of Private Education must update the institutional and public consultation records, noting the definitive closure and the repeal, and shall maintain custody of the administrative file and the academic documents delivered upon closure.

The repeal does not exempt the owner or whoever exercised the representation of the center from the fulfillment of administrative, academic, labor, social security, tax, or documentary obligations that may persist. The decree takes effect from its publication in the Official Gazette La Gaceta.

The closure is the result of an express request by the owner based on the absence of active enrollment, and does not derive from a sanctioning procedure or a revocation due to non-compliance. The measure reduces the offer of private preschool education in the Paso Ancho area and forces families who depended on this center to seek educational alternatives for the preschool cycle in the region.

Source: La Gaceta — Official Gazette, No. 174, Wednesday, September 16, 2026, Executive Branch section, page 7 (official reference: Executive Decree 45884-MEP, IN202601118605).