MEP Omission on School Infrastructure Violates Right to Healthy EnvironmentOmisión del MEP en infraestructura escolar vulnera ambiente sano

Res. Nº 2026017056 CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours twenty minutes on the fifteenth of May two thousand twenty-six.

Writ of amparo (recurso de amparo) filed under case number 26-010838-0007-CO, brought by [Nombre 001], of legal age, identity card [Valor 001], and [Nombre 002], of legal age, identity card [Valor 002], on behalf of the Education Board (Junta de Educación) of the Escuela Vista de Térraba, legal entity number [Valor 003], against the Ministry of Public Education.

Findings:

1.- By a written submission received at the Chamber Secretariat at 14:23 hours on March 26, 2026, the petitioners filed this writ of amparo against the Ministry of Public Education —MEP— and state that the Education Board of the Escuela Vista de Térraba is the registered owner of parcel 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in the First District of Puerto Cortés. They allege that the Escuela Vista de Térraba has serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body. They note that, through sanitary order (orden sanitaria) nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to remedy the identified problems. They indicate that the deficiencies include damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, floors, problems with drinking water, restrooms, waste management, and general safety conditions. Nonetheless, despite the sanitary order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They assert that a remedial action plan (plan remedial de acciones) has been prepared by the MEP's Educational Infrastructure Directorate (Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa), which demonstrates institutional awareness of the problem, but that the plan has not been executed, thereby constituting a deliberate omission. They contend that among the student population there are two girls with grade-3, nonverbal autism spectrum disorder (trastorno del espectro autista), in a condition of extreme vulnerability, who require safe and accessible facilities. They add that the school suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to CNE. They allege that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor (persona menor de edad) students at the school, particularly those with disabilities. They request the intervention of this Chamber.

2.- By ruling issued at 17:32 hours on April 17, 2026, the Presidencia of the Chamber admitted this amparo for processing and requested a sworn report from the Minister and from the Director of the Educational Infrastructure Directorate, both of MEP, regarding the facts alleged by the petitioning party.

3.- José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano, respectively, in their capacity as Minister of Public Education and Director of the Educational Infrastructure Directorate of MEP, report under oath (written submission filed at 13:36 hours on April 30, 2026) as follows:

"Regarding the facts alleged by the petitioning party, the following is reported:

First: Through official communication DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026, issued by the Planning and Monitoring Department of the Educational Infrastructure Directorate, it is stated, in the relevant part, as follows:

'(…) In accordance with the request made by Licda. Elizabeth Villalobos Montero, Legal Advisor of the Directorate, in connection with the writ of amparo filed under case number 26-010838-0007-CO, concerning the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038, located in the province of Puntarenas, canton of Osa, district of Puerto Cortés, it is reported that the project is currently in the formulation phase (fase de formulación), with the aim of updating the scope and estimated cost of the required intervention.

Likewise, during this process a registration issue associated with the land was identified, which is currently under review in order to determine whether there is sufficient legal certainty to justify the potential investment of public funds. This determination is essential for properly assessing the technical and financial feasibility of the project and, consequently, for defining whether it should proceed.

In the event that such feasibility is not confirmed (particularly technical feasibility), the relevant Regional Education Directorate (Dirección Regional de Educación) will be consulted to evaluate alternative solutions within its area of competence.

In that regard, taking into account the nature and complexity of this type of intervention, a preliminary estimated timeframe of approximately two years is projected for the development and eventual execution of the project. This timeframe may vary depending on the results of the land registration review and the technical and financial conditions that are defined, among other factors…' Second. The information described in the foregoing section is supplemented by official communication DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026, which states:

'(…) further information is provided to supplement that given in official communication DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026, regarding the writ of amparo filed under case number 26-010838-0007-CO, concerning the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038:

Regarding the sanitary order referenced by the petitioning party, it is clarified that in 2024 a technical inspection (visita técnica) was conducted at the school in order to evaluate the measures required by the health authority. As a result of that evaluation, it was determined that the most appropriate alternative is to reconstruct the school; the proposed project would therefore address the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioning party in the writ of amparo.

Following that inspection, a preliminary project scope and an initial cost estimate were defined, which provide a basis for planning the intervention.

Also in that same year, a remedial action plan was submitted to the Ministry of Health, which approved it and set a compliance deadline of December 2026; the plan therefore remains in effect. Currently, the initial estimate is being adjusted in order to advance into the formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements.

According to information from the Circuit Supervisor's Office (Supervisión de Circuito) (via telephone inquiry), the school is operating normally and educational services are not being affected.' In light of the foregoing, it should be noted that, as of this date, the necessary preparatory administrative acts are being taken in accordance with the applicable legal framework, with the aim of carrying out the construction works needed to definitively resolve the identified infrastructure deficiencies. This honorable Chamber should also take note that a remedial action plan approved by the Ministry of Health is in effect, with a deadline of December 2026, so there is no breach of that plan; on the contrary, actions have been taken that do not constitute an omission violating the sphere of fundamental rights of the protected organization.

EVIDENCE • Official communications DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026 and DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026, issued by the Planning and Monitoring Department of the Educational Infrastructure Directorate.

PETITION For the foregoing reasons, we request that this writ of amparo be declared without merit and that the corresponding case file be archived." 4.- The legal procedures followed have complied with the applicable statutory requirements.

The opinion is authored by Justice Garro Vargas; and,

Considering:

I.- Object of the writ. The petitioners allege that the Education Board of the Escuela Vista de Térraba is the registered owner of parcel 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in Puerto Cortés. They allege that the Escuela Vista de Térraba has serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body. They note that, through sanitary order nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to remedy the identified problems. They mention that the deficiencies include damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, floors, problems with drinking water, restrooms, waste management, and general safety conditions. Nonetheless, despite the sanitary order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They assert that a remedial action plan has been prepared by the MEP's Educational Infrastructure Directorate, demonstrating institutional awareness of the problem, but that the plan has not been executed, thereby constituting a deliberate omission. They contend that among the student population there are two girls with grade-3, nonverbal autism spectrum disorder, in a condition of extreme vulnerability, who require safe and accessible facilities. They add that the school suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to CNE. They state that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor students at the school, particularly those with disabilities.

II.- Established facts. For purposes of this decision, the following facts are considered to have been duly proven, either because they have been substantiated as such or because the respondents failed to address them as required by the initial order:

• 1)In response to sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, staff from the MEP's Educational Infrastructure Directorate conducted a technical inspection in 2024 at the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa, Puntarenas, in order to evaluate the measures ordered by the Ministry of Health. As a result of that evaluation, it was determined that the most appropriate alternative is to reconstruct the school (see the respondents' report).
• 2)Following that inspection, a preliminary project scope and an initial cost estimate were defined, which provide a basis for planning the intervention (see the respondents' report).
• 3)In 2024, MEP submitted a remedial action plan to the Ministry of Health, which approved it and set a compliance deadline of December 2026 (see the respondents' report).
• 4)Currently, the initial estimate is being adjusted in order to advance into the formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements (see the respondents' report).
• 5)The proposed project would address the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioners (see the respondents' report).
• 6)The Escuela Vista de Térraba is operating normally (see the respondents' report).

III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in schools. This Chamber, in judgment No. 2012-002021 of 10:05 hours on February 17, 2012, reiterated in judgment No. 2019-016257 of 09:40 hours on August 30, 2019, stated the following:

"III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in schools — The right to health, recognized in articles 21 of the Political Constitution, 1 and 11 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, 4 of the American Convention on Human Rights, and 10 of the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Rights, is intimately linked to the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment, enshrined in article 50 of the Constitution. Environmental quality is a fundamental parameter of quality of life, as are health, nutrition, work, housing, and education, among others. Accordingly, the State has an obligation to ensure adequate protection of the environment, for which it must take the necessary measures to keep the environment free of contamination and to ensure that alterations produced by both human activity and natural forces, in the immediate or more distant surroundings, do not constitute harm to the environment or to the health of the people who live in it. This right is particularly recognized when it is associated with other fundamental rights, such as the right to education. The latter is a fundamental right, which is realized through the public service provided by the State at the various schools throughout the country. Therefore, the very least the State can do, when providing this public service, is to ensure that it does not infringe other fundamental rights, such as the right to health and to a healthy environment, for both students and the teaching and administrative staff of educational institutions." (In the same vein, judgments Nos. 2012-08915 of 9:30 hours on June 29, 2012, and 2012-12430 of 9:05 hours on September 7, 2012, were issued.)

IV.- On the specific case. After reviewing the evidence, the Chamber found it proven that the problems at issue are longstanding. Indeed, on October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health issued sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023, granting a one-month period to correct deficiencies at the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa, Puntarenas. The sanitary authority ordered the following:

"1. Prepare and submit to the Osa Regional Health Authority (Área Rectora de Salud de Osa) a corrective action plan covering the actions to be carried out to remedy the non-conformities detected at the institution, which are listed below. The plan must be accompanied by an activity schedule indicating the start and end dates of the works; it must be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health and carried out in strict accordance with what is specified and approved in that plan. The improvements to be made are as follows:

• Repair and/or replace walls of the institution's structures (classrooms and cafeteria) that show deterioration due to termites, moisture, wear, cracking, or other damage.

• Repair and/or replace roof structures, ceilings, and fascias of classrooms and cafeteria that have been damaged by termites or moisture, or that show deterioration.

• Inspect and repair roof panels and eliminate all leaks in the various structures of the institution that show damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair the electrical system throughout the institution in accordance with the current national electrical code, wherever there is damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair floors in the various structures of the institution (classrooms and cafeteria) where there is damage or deterioration.

• Repair the entire stormwater drainage system of the institution, including gutters, downspouts, drainage channels, and stormwater discharge points on the property.

• Install perimeter fencing to define and restrict access to the institution.

• Provide a drinking water storage tank and implement a maintenance and cleaning log.

• Install a covered walkway between the cafeteria and the classroom.

• Increase the number of restrooms, with separate facilities for students and administrative staff.

• Prepare and implement a comprehensive waste management program in accordance with the provisions of the Reglamento General a la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 37567-S-MINAET-H, Anexo II, including the corresponding solid waste delivery log.

• Prepare and implement an Emergency Preparedness Plan in accordance with the provisions of Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39502-MP of November 10, 2015, 'Normas de Planes de Preparativos y Respuesta ante Emergencias para Centros Laborales o de Ocupación Pública.' It is established that in 2024 MEP submitted a remedial action plan to the Ministry of Health, which approved it and set a compliance deadline of December 2026. Currently, the initial estimate is being adjusted in order to advance into the formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements. It is indicated that the proposed project would address the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioners.

The foregoing facts allow the Chamber to conclude that the fundamental rights of the students of the Escuela Vista de Térraba have been violated. While the compliance deadline for sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, has been extended until next December, it is equally true that the structural deficiencies at the school have been known to the respondent authorities for more than two years, without any indication that they took timely steps to resolve them. Even setting aside that fact, there is no indication whatsoever that the authorities intend to comply with the sanitary order before December (when the extension expires), given that they acknowledge that the initial estimate is still being adjusted in order to advance into the formulation phase. It bears repeating that the sanitary order of October 27, 2023, identified risks for students and therefore ordered the repair of walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, the electrical system, and the stormwater drainage system throughout the institution, among other things. This Chamber is aware of the budgetary constraints that may exist, but from the standpoint of protecting fundamental rights, it cannot lose sight of the fact that what is at stake is the students' right to education and the right to health of both students and staff. Accordingly, the Chamber finds that the respondent authorities have failed to comply with the sanitary order and to resolve the problems identified two years ago, making it necessary for this Tribunal to intervene in order to guarantee the rights of the persons affected (students and staff).

V.- Conclusion. Therefore, in order to guarantee the safety of the minor students and, more broadly, their educational process, as well as the protection of staff, the writ is declared meritorious under the terms set forth in the operative section (parte dispositiva) of this ruling.

VI.- NOTE BY JUSTICE RUEDA LEAL. While the majority in this sub iudice records that the writ was filed on behalf of the Education Board of the Escuela Vista de Térraba, the text of the petition makes clear that the petitioners actually come before this jurisdiction on behalf of the students of that school. To that effect, they expressly state that they appear "in protection of the fundamental rights of the minors, specifically the students of the Escuela Vista de Térraba (…)." In light of the foregoing, I proceed to rule on the merits.

VII.- NOTE BY JUSTICE SALAZAR ALVARADO. As a matter of principle, I consider that cases involving the Public Administration's inaction with respect to the repair, construction, modification, or demolition of any infrastructure work should be dismissed, because such omission is a matter of legality whose discussion belongs before the ordinary courts, where the interested party may raise objections more broadly. However, when such administrative omission results in a violation of other fundamental rights protected under this constitutional jurisdiction, or when vulnerable groups are affected, I do proceed to rule on the merits, as this situation constitutes an exception to my general position in such matters — just as in this case, where the claim concerns the failure to provide a definitive solution to serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of students at the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés. They also add that the school suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to CNE, without a definitive solution having been found.

VIII.- Documents submitted to the case file. The parties are hereby notified that any paper documents submitted, as well as objects or evidence contained on any additional electronic, computer-based, magnetic, optical, telematic, or new-technology device, must be retrieved from the office within a maximum period of thirty business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not retrieved within that period will be destroyed, pursuant to the "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial," approved by the Corte Plena in Session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Art. XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as pursuant to the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in Session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Art. LXXXI.

Por tanto:

The writ is declared meritorious. José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano, respectively, in their capacity as Minister of Public Education and Director of the Educational Infrastructure Directorate of MEP, or whoever holds those positions, are ordered to coordinate and carry out all actions within the scope of their competencies so that, by December 2026, full compliance is achieved with all requirements set forth in sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, issued by the Osa Regional Health Authority of the Ministry of Health, with respect to the Escuela Vista de Térraba. The respondents, or whoever holds those positions, are warned that, pursuant to Art. 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, a prison sentence of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on any person who receives an order that they must comply with or enforce, issued within an amparo proceeding, and fails to comply with or enforce it, provided the offense is not more severely punishable under another provision. The State is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses (costas, daños y perjuicios) caused by the facts underlying this declaration, which shall be assessed in the administrative contentious jurisdiction (lo contencioso administrativo) enforcement proceedings. Justice Rueda Leal appends a note. Justice Salazar Alvarado appends a note. Notify.

Fernando Castillo V. President Fernando Cruz C.

Paul Rueda L. Luis Fdo. Salazar A.

Jorge Araya G. Anamari Garro V.

Ingrid Hess H.

Digitally Signed Document -- Verification code -- Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482). Fax: 2220-4607 / 2220-4844. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Sabana Sur, Calle Morenos, 100 mts. Sur de la iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro).

San José, at nine hours and twenty minutes on the fifteenth of May of two thousand twenty-six.

Amparo petition (recurso de amparo) being processed under case file number 26-010838-0007-CO, filed by [Nombre 001], of legal age, national identity card (cédula de identidad) number [Valor 001], and [Nombre 002], of legal age, national identity card number [Valor 002], on behalf of the Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba, corporate tax ID (cédula jurídica) [Valor 003], against the Ministerio de Educación Pública.

Background:

**1.-** By written submission received at the Chamber's Secretariat at 14:23 hours on March 26, 2026, the petitioners filed an amparo petition against the Ministerio de Educación Pública -MEP- and stated that the Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba is the registered owner of parcel 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in the First District of Puerto Cortés. They indicated that the Escuela Vista de Térraba has serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of its students. They stated that, through health order (orden sanitaria) nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, the Ministerio de Salud ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to remedy the identified problems. They mentioned that the identified deficiencies include damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, floors, potable water supply, sanitary facilities, waste management, and general safety conditions. Nevertheless, despite the health order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They alleged that a remedial plan (plan remedial) drafted by the MEP's Directorate of Educational Infrastructure exists, which demonstrates institutional awareness of the problem, but that the plan has not been executed, constituting a deliberate omission. They argued that within the student population there are two girls with Level 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder who are non-verbal and in a condition of maximum vulnerability, requiring safe and accessible facilities. They added that the school suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias. They alleged that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor students at the school, especially those with disabilities. They requested the intervention of this Chamber.

**2.-** By ruling issued at 17:32 hours on April 17, 2026, the President of the Chamber admitted this amparo petition for processing and requested a report from the Minister and the Director of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure, both of MEP, regarding the facts alleged by the petitioning party.

**3.-** José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano, respectively, in their capacities as Minister of Public Education and Director of Educational Infrastructure of MEP, reported under oath (written submission presented at 13:36 hours on April 30, 2026) in the following terms:

*"Regarding the facts alleged by the petitioning party, the following is reported:* ***First:*** *Through official memorandum* ***DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026****, issued by the Programming and Monitoring Department of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure, it is established, in the relevant part, that:* *"(…) In accordance with the request made by Licda. Elizabeth Villalobos Montero, Legal Advisor to the Directorate, in connection with the amparo petition being processed under case file number 26-010838-0007-CO, regarding the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038, located in the province of Puntarenas, canton of Osa, district of Puerto Cortés, it is reported that the project formulation phase is currently underway, with the aim of updating the scope and estimated cost of the required intervention.* *Likewise, during this process, a matter of a registry nature associated with the parcel was identified, which is currently being verified in order to determine whether there is sufficient legal certainty to allow for the eventual investment of public funds. The foregoing is indispensable for the proper assessment of the project's technical and financial feasibility and, consequently, for determining whether its continuation is appropriate.* *If such feasibility cannot be confirmed (in particular, technical feasibility), the relevant Regional Directorate of Education will be consulted to evaluate alternative solutions within the scope of its competencies.* *In that regard, taking into account the nature and complexity of this type of intervention, a preliminary estimate of approximately two years is given for the development and eventual execution of the project. This timeframe may vary depending on the results obtained from the verification of the parcel's registry status and the technical and financial conditions that are defined, among other matters…"* ***Second.*** *The information described in the preceding section is supplemented by official memorandum* ***DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026****, which states that:* *"(…) the information provided in official memorandum DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026 is hereby expanded, regarding the amparo petition processed under case file N.° 26-010838-0007-CO, corresponding to the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038:* *With respect to the health order referenced by the petitioning party, it is clarified that in 2024 a technical visit to the school was carried out in order to assess what had been ordered by the Health Authority. As a result of that assessment, it was determined that the most appropriate alternative is the reconstruction of the school, such that the proposed project would resolve the health order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioning party in the amparo petition.* *As a result of this visit, a preliminary scope for the project and an initial cost estimate were defined, which allows for planning of the intervention.* *Likewise, in that same year, a remedial action plan was submitted to the Ministerio de Salud, which was approved by that entity, establishing December 2026 as the compliance deadline; it is therefore currently in force. The initial estimate is currently being adjusted with the aim of advancing the project formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements.* According to information provided by the Circuit Supervision office (via telephone inquiry), the educational center is operating normally, and the educational service is therefore not being affected." In light of the foregoing, it is worth noting that, to date, the preparatory administrative acts (actos administrativos preparatorios) in accordance with the applicable block of legality (bloque de legalidad) have been completed, for the purpose of carrying out the necessary construction work to permanently resolve the identified infrastructure deficiencies. This honorable Court should further take note that a remedial plan (plan remedial) approved by the Ministry of Health authorities exists, with a compliance deadline of December 2026; therefore, there is no breach of that plan, and on the contrary, actions have been taken such that no omission exists that would violate the sphere of Fundamental Rights of the protected organization (organización amparada).

**EVIDENCE** • Official memoranda (Oficios) **DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026** and **DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026**, issued by the Department of Planning and Monitoring of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure.

**PRAYER FOR RELIEF** For the foregoing reasons, we request that the present amparo appeal (Recurso de Amparo) be declared without merit, and that the corresponding case file be ordered closed." **4.-** The legally prescribed procedures have been observed in the proceedings conducted.

Opinion drafted by Justice (Magistrada) Garro Vargas; and, **Considering:** **I.- Subject matter of the appeal.** The petitioners (recurrentes) allege that the Education Board (Junta de Educación) of the Escuela Vista de Térraba holds registered title to parcel (finca) 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in Puerto Cortés. They state that the Escuela Vista de Térraba presents serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body. They indicate that, by means of sanitary order (orden sanitaria) nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to remedy the identified problems. They mention that the deficiencies identified include damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, floors, problems with drinking water, sanitation, waste management, and general safety conditions. Nevertheless, despite the sanitary order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They assert that a remedial plan prepared by the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure of MEP exists, which demonstrates institutional awareness of the problem, but that said plan has not been executed, constituting a deliberate omission (omisión consciente). They argue that among the student population there are two girls with grade-3 autism spectrum disorder, non-verbal, in a condition of maximum vulnerability, who require safe and accessible facilities. They add that the educational center suffers from recurrent flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to the National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias). They contend that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor students of the educational center, particularly those with disabilities.

**II.- Proven facts.** Of relevance to the decision in this matter, the following facts are considered duly established, either because they have been substantiated as such or because the respondents failed to address them as required by the initial order:

**1)** In response to sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, staff from the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure of MEP conducted a technical visit in 2024 to the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas, for the purpose of assessing what the Ministry of Health had ordered. As a result of that assessment, it was determined that the most suitable alternative was the reconstruction of the school (see the respondent authorities' report).

**2)** Arising from this visit, a preliminary project scope and an initial cost estimate were defined, which allows for the planning of the project's implementation to move forward (see the respondent authorities' report).

**3)** In 2024, MEP submitted a remedial action plan to the Ministry of Health, which was approved by that entity, with December 2026 established as the compliance deadline (see the respondent authorities' report).

**4)** The initial estimate is currently being adjusted with the aim of advancing to the project formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements (see the respondent authorities' report).

**5)** The proposed project would resolve the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioners (see the respondent authorities' report).

**6)** The Escuela Vista de Térraba is operating normally (see the respondent authorities' report).

**III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in educational centers.** This Court, in judgment No. 2012-002021 of 10:05 a.m. on February 17, 2012, reiterated in judgment No. 2019-016257 of 9:40 a.m. on August 30, 2019, stated the following:

*"III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in Educational Centers — The right to health recognized in articles 21 of the Political Constitution, 1 and 11 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, 4 of the American Convention on Human Rights, and 10 of the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Rights, is intimately linked to the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment, enshrined in article 50 of the Constitution. Environmental quality is a fundamental parameter of quality of life, just as health, food, work, housing, and education are, among others. Consequently, the State has the obligation to ensure adequate environmental protection, for which it must take the necessary measures to keep the environment free of contamination, and to ensure that alterations produced both by human beings and by nature, in the immediate or distant surroundings, do not constitute harm to the environment or to the health of the people living in it. This right is especially recognized when it is associated with other fundamental rights, such as the right to education.* The latter is established as a fundamental right, which manifests as the public service the State provides through the various educational institutions across the country. Therefore, the minimum the State must do when delivering this public service is to refrain from infringing on other fundamental rights, such as the right to health and to a healthy environment, belonging both to students and to the teaching and administrative staff of the educational institution." (Decisions numbered 2012-08915 of 9:30 hours on June 29, 2012, and 2012-12430 of 9:05 hours on September 7, 2012, were issued to the same effect.)

**IV.- On the Specific Case.** After examining the evidence, the Chamber found it established that the reported problems are longstanding. Indeed, on October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health issued sanitary order (orden sanitaria) MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023, granting a one-month period to correct deficiencies at the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas. The health authority ordered the following:

"**1. To prepare and submit to the Governing Health Area of Osa (Área Rectora de Salud de Osa) a corrective action plan setting out the steps to be taken to remedy the non-conformities detected at the institution and listed below. The plan must be accompanied by an activity schedule indicating the start and completion dates for the works; it must be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health and executed in accordance with what is specified and approved in that plan. The improvements to be carried out are the following:** • Repair and/or replace the walls of the institution's structures (classrooms and cafeteria) that show damage or deterioration from termites, moisture, wear, cracks, or other causes.

• Repair and/or replace roof structures, dropped ceilings, and fascia boards in the classrooms and cafeteria that have been damaged by termites or moisture, or that show damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair roofing sheets and eliminate all leaks in the various structures of the institution that show damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair the electrical system throughout the entire institution in accordance with the applicable national electrical code, where damage or deterioration is present.

• Inspect and repair floors in the various structures of the institution (classrooms and cafeteria) that show damage or deterioration.

• Repair the entire stormwater drainage system (sistema de canalización de aguas pluviales) of the institution, including gutters, downspouts, drainage channels, and stormwater outlets on the property.

• Install a perimeter fence to control access to the institution.

• Provide a potable water storage tank and implement a maintenance and cleaning logbook.

• Install a roof over the walkway between the cafeteria and the classroom.

• Increase the number of restrooms, providing separate facilities for the student population and administrative staff.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive waste management program in accordance with the Reglamento General a la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 37567-S-MINAET-H, Annex II, together with the corresponding solid waste delivery logbook.

• An Emergency Response Plan must be developed and implemented in accordance with Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39502 - MP of November 10, 2015, "Normas de Planes de Preparativos y Respuesta ante Emergencias para Centros Laborales o de Ocupación Pública." It is established that in 2024, MEP submitted to the Ministry of Health a remedial action plan, which was approved by that body, with December 2026 set as the compliance deadline. The initial estimate is currently being adjusted with the aim of advancing the project formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with applicable technical and budgetary requirements. It is stated that the proposed project would satisfy the sanitary order and address the deficiencies identified by the petitioners.

The foregoing facts lead the Chamber to conclude that the fundamental rights of the students of the Escuela Vista de Térraba have been violated. Although the compliance deadline for sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023 has been extended to this coming December, it is equally true that the respondent authorities have been aware of the structural deficiencies of the educational institution for more than two years, without any evidence that they took timely steps to resolve them. Even setting that fact aside, there is no indication whatsoever that the authorities intend to comply with the sanitary order before December (when the extension expires), given that they acknowledge the initial estimate is still being adjusted with the aim of advancing the project formulation phase. It bears repeating that the sanitary order of October 27, 2023 identified risks to students, and accordingly directed repair of walls, roofs, dropped ceilings, floors, the electrical system, and the stormwater drainage system throughout the entire institution, among other items. This Chamber understands the budgetary constraints that may exist, but from the perspective of the protection of fundamental rights, it cannot lose sight of the fact that the students' right to education and the right to health of both students and staff are at stake. This Chamber therefore finds that the respondent authorities have failed to comply with the sanitary order or to resolve the problems identified two years ago, making it necessary for this Court to intervene to guarantee the rights of those affected (students and staff).

**V.- Conclusion.** Therefore, in order to guarantee the safety of the minor students and, in general, their educational process, as well as the protection of the staff, the writ of amparo (recurso de amparo) is hereby granted on the terms set forth in the operative part of this ruling.

**VI.- NOTE OF JUSTICE RUEDA LEAL.** Although in the *sub iudice* the majority records that the writ was brought on behalf of the Junta de Educación of Escuela Vista de Térraba, the petition filing reveals that the petitioners in fact come before this jurisdiction on behalf of the students of that school. To that effect, they expressly state that they appear *"in protection of the fundamental rights of minors, specifically the students of Escuela Vista de Térraba (…)."* In light of the foregoing, I proceed to rule on the merits of the matter.

**VII.- NOTE OF JUSTICE SALAZAR ALVARADO.** As a matter of general principle, I hold that cases involving the Public Administration's inaction in the repair, construction, modification, or demolition of any infrastructure work must be dismissed, since such an omission is a question of legality whose resolution belongs to the ordinary courts, before which the interested party may fully argue their objections. However, when such an administrative omission gives rise to a violation of other fundamental rights protected under this constitutional jurisdiction, or affects groups considered vulnerable, I do proceed to rule on the merits, since that situation constitutes an exception to my general position in this area — as is the case here, where the complaint concerns the failure to provide a definitive solution to the problem of serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body at Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés. The petitioners further state that the school suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including its student cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to CNE (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias), yet no definitive solution has been reached.

**VIII.- Documentation submitted to the case file.** The parties are hereby notified that, if they have submitted any paper documents, objects, or evidence contained on any additional device of an electronic, informatic, magnetic, optical, telematic, or new-technology nature, such materials must be retrieved from the court's office within a maximum period of thirty business days counted from the notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not retrieved within that period will be destroyed, pursuant to the *"Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,"* approved by the Corte Plena in Session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in Session No. 43-12, held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.

**Por tanto:** The appeal is granted. José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano are hereby ordered, respectively, in their capacities as Minister of Public Education and Director of Educational Infrastructure of the Ministry of Public Education — or whoever holds those positions — to coordinate and take all actions within the scope of their authority, so that by **December 2026** full compliance is achieved with all provisions of health order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, issued by the Área Rectora de Salud de Osa of the Ministry of Health, with respect to Escuela Vista de Térraba. The respondents, or whoever holds those positions, are warned that, pursuant to Article 71 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, imprisonment of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty days shall be imposed on any person who receives an order — issued within an amparo proceeding — that they must comply with or enforce, and fails to do so, provided the offense is not more severely punishable under other law. The State is condemned to pay the costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this ruling, which shall be assessed in the enforcement proceedings before the administrative courts. Justice Rueda Leal appends a separate note. Justice Salazar Alvarado appends a separate note.

Notify the parties.

Fernando Castillo V. Chief Justice Fernando Cruz C.

The content you submitted does not contain any Spanish legal text to translate. What was sent is base64-encoded binary image data (a JPEG file encoded as a `data:image/jpeg;base64,...` string) embedded in HTML markup, along with the name "Paul Rueda L." in a caption element.

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Salazar A.

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Digitally Signed Document -- Verification Code -- Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482).

Res. Nº 2026017056 CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours and twenty minutes on the fifteenth of May, two thousand twenty-six.

Writ of amparo (recurso de amparo) being processed under case number 26-010838-0007-CO, filed by [Nombre 001], an adult, identity card [Valor 001], and [Nombre 002], an adult, identity card [Valor 002], on behalf of the Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba, legal entity [Valor 003], against the Ministerio de Educación Pública.

Background:

1.- By written submission received at the Secretariat of the Court at 14:23 hours on March 26, 2026, the appellants file a writ of amparo against the Ministerio de Educación Pública —MEP— and state that the Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba is the registered owner of property 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in the First District of Puerto Cortés. They indicate that the Escuela Vista de Térraba presents serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body. They state that, by means of health order (orden sanitaria) nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023, dated October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to remedy the problems identified. They note that the deficiencies identified include damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, and floors, as well as problems with drinking water, restrooms, waste management, and general safety conditions. Notwithstanding the health order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They assert that a Remedial Plan (Plan Remedial) was drafted by the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure of MEP, demonstrating institutional awareness of the problem, but that said plan has not been executed, thus constituting a deliberate omission. They argue that within the student population there are two girls with Grade 3 Autism Spectrum Disorder, who are non-verbal and in a state of maximum vulnerability, and who require safe and accessible facilities. They add that the educational center suffers recurring flooding during the rainy season, including in the student cafeteria, a situation that was already reported to CNE. They allege that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor students enrolled at the educational center, especially those with disabilities. They request the intervention of this Court.

2.- By resolution issued at 17:32 hours on April 17, 2026, the President of the Court admitted this amparo petition and requested a report from the Minister and from the Director of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure, both of MEP, regarding the facts alleged by the appellant party.

3.- José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano, in their respective capacities as Minister of Public Education and Director of Educational Infrastructure of MEP (written submission filed at 13:36 hours on April 30, 2026), report under oath in the following terms:

"*Regarding the facts alleged by the appellant party, the following is reported:* *First:* Through official memorandum DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026, issued by the Department of Programming and Monitoring of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure, it is established, in the relevant part, as follows:

"(…) In accordance with the request made by Atty. Elizabeth Villalobos Montero, Legal Advisor of the Directorate, in connection with the writ of amparo being processed under case number 26-010838-0007-CO, concerning the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038, located in the province of Puntarenas, canton of Osa, district of Puerto Cortés, it is reported that the project is currently advancing through the formulation phase, with the purpose of updating the scope and estimated cost of the required intervention.

Likewise, during this process, a registry-related situation associated with the property was identified, which is currently under verification, in order to determine whether sufficient legal certainty exists to permit the eventual investment of public resources. This determination is essential for the proper assessment of the technical and financial feasibility of the project and, consequently, for deciding whether its continuation is appropriate.

In the event that such feasibility is not confirmed (particularly technical feasibility), coordination will be carried out with the respective Regional Directorate of Education to evaluate alternative solutions within its sphere of competence.

In that regard, considering the nature and complexity of this type of intervention, a preliminary estimate of approximately two years is projected for the development and eventual execution of the project. This period may vary depending on the results obtained from the verification of the registry situation of the property and from the technical and financial conditions that are defined, among other factors…" *Second.* The information described in the preceding section is supplemented by official memorandum DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026, according to which it is stated that:

"(…) the information provided in official memorandum DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026 is hereby expanded, with respect to the writ of amparo being processed under case N.° 26-010838-0007-CO, corresponding to the Escuela Vista de Térraba, code 3038:

Regarding the health order indicated by the appellant party, it is clarified that in 2024 a technical visit was made to the educational center in order to assess the measures required by the Health Authority. As a result of that assessment, it was determined that the most appropriate alternative is the reconstruction of the educational center, so the proposed project would resolve the health order and the deficiencies identified by the appellant party in the writ of amparo.

*From this visit, a preliminary project scope and an initial cost estimate were defined, which makes it possible to guide the planning of the response.* *Likewise, that same year, a remedial plan (plan remedial) of actions was submitted to the Ministry of Health, which was approved by that entity, with December 2026 established as the compliance deadline; accordingly, the plan remains in force. The initial estimate is currently being revised, with the aim of advancing the project formulation phase and the subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements.* *As stated by the Circuit Supervision (telephone inquiry), the school is operating normally and educational services are therefore not being disrupted."* *In light of the foregoing, it is worth noting that, as of today, the preparatory administrative acts (actos administrativos preparatorios) are being completed in accordance with the governing legal framework (bloque de legalidad), with the aim of carrying out the necessary construction works to permanently resolve the identified infrastructure deficiencies. This honorable Court should further note that there is a remedial plan approved by the Ministry of Health authorities, with a deadline of December 2026; therefore, there is no breach of that plan and, on the contrary, actions have been taken such that no omission exists that would violate the sphere of Fundamental Rights of the protected organization.* ***EVIDENCE*** *• Official memoranda **DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026** and **DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026**, signed by the Department of Programming and Follow-Up of the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure.* ***PRAYER FOR RELIEF*** *For the foregoing reasons, we request that the present writ of amparo (Recurso de Amparo) be declared without merit, and that the respective case file be ordered archived accordingly."* **4.-** The legal requirements have been observed in the proceedings followed.

Written by Justice **Garro Vargas**; and, **Considering:** **I.- Object of the appeal.** The petitioners allege that the Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba is the registered owner of parcel (finca) 208971-000, described as land designated for construction, located in Puerto Cortés. They state that the Escuela Vista de Térraba presents serious structural deficiencies that endanger the health, safety, and lives of the student body. They indicate that, through sanitary order (orden sanitaria) MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health ordered the correction of multiple structural deficiencies, granting a one-month period to correct the problems identified. They mention that among the deficiencies identified are damage to roofs, walls, the electrical system, and floors, as well as problems with drinking water, sanitation, waste management, and general safety conditions. Nevertheless, despite the sanitary order, the necessary corrective actions have not been carried out. They affirm that a remedial plan prepared by the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure of MEP exists, which demonstrates institutional awareness of the problem, but that said plan has not been implemented, amounting to a conscious omission. They argue that among the student population there are two girls with grade-3 autism spectrum disorder, non-verbal, in a situation of maximum vulnerability, who require safe and accessible facilities. They add that the school suffers recurrent flooding during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria, a situation that has already been reported to the National Emergency Commission (CNE). They contend that the inaction of the respondent authorities directly violates the fundamental rights of the minor students of the school, especially those with disabilities.

**II.- Proven facts.** For the purpose of deciding this matter, the following facts are deemed duly established, either because they have been so proven, or because the respondents failed to address them as required in the initial order:

**1)** In response to sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, staff from the Directorate of Educational Infrastructure of MEP conducted a technical visit in 2024 to the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas, for the purpose of assessing what was ordered by the Ministry of Health. As a result of that assessment, it was determined that the most suitable alternative is the reconstruction of the school (see report of the respondent authorities).

**2)** From this visit, a preliminary project scope and an initial cost estimate were defined, which makes it possible to guide the planning of the response (see report of the respondent authorities).

**3)** In 2024, MEP submitted a remedial plan of actions to the Ministry of Health, which was approved by that entity, with December 2026 established as the compliance deadline (see report of the respondent authorities).

**4)** The initial estimate is currently being revised, with the aim of advancing the project formulation phase and the subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements (see report of the respondent authorities).

**5)** The proposed project would resolve the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioners (see report of the respondent authorities).

**6)** The Escuela Vista de Térraba is operating normally (see report of the respondent authorities).

**III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in educational centers.** This Court, in ruling No. 2012-002021 of 10:05 a.m. on February 17, 2012, reiterated in ruling No. 2019-016257 of 9:40 a.m. on August 30, 2019, stated the following:

*"**III.- On the right to enjoy a healthy and ecologically balanced environment in Educational Centers –** The right to health, recognized in articles 21 of the Political Constitution, 1 and 11 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, 4 of the American Convention on Human Rights, and 10 of the Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Rights, is intimately linked to the right to live in a healthy and balanced environment, enshrined in article 50 of the Constitution. Environmental quality is a fundamental parameter of quality of life; just as are health, food, work, housing, education, among others.* *Consequently, the State has the obligation to ensure adequate protection of the environment, and to that end must take the necessary measures so that the environment remains free of contamination, and so that the alterations produced—whether by humans or by nature—in the immediate or distant surroundings do not cause harm to the environment or to the health of those who inhabit it. This right is especially recognized when it is associated with other fundamental rights, such as the right to education. The latter is established as a fundamental right, which manifests in the public service that the State provides through the various educational centers of the country. Therefore, the very least the State can do is ensure that, in delivering this public service, it does not infringe upon other fundamental rights, such as the right to health and to a healthy environment, for both the students and the teaching and administrative staff of the educational institution.* (Rulings numbers 2012-08915 of 9:30 a.m. on June 29, 2012, and 2012-12430 of 9:05 a.m. on September 7, 2012, were issued in the same vein.)

**IV.- On the specific case.** After examining the evidence, the Court found as proven that the reported problems have been longstanding. Indeed, on October 27, 2023, the Ministry of Health issued sanitary order (orden sanitaria) MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023, granting a one-month period to correct deficiencies at Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas. The health authority ordered the following:

"**1. To prepare and submit to the Osa Health Governing Area (Área Rectora de Salud de Osa) a corrective action plan that includes all actions to be carried out to remedy the non-conformities (no conformidades) identified at the institution, which are set out below. Said plan must be accompanied by an activity schedule (cronograma de actividades) indicating the start and completion dates for the works; it must be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health and carried out in strict accordance with what is specified and approved in that Plan. The improvements to be made are as follows:** • Repair and/or replace walls of the institution's structures (classrooms and cafeteria) that show deterioration from termites (comején), moisture, wear, cracks, or other forms of damage or deterioration.

• Repair and/or replace roof structures, drop ceilings (cielorrasos), and fascia boards (precintas) in the classrooms and cafeteria that are damaged by termites or moisture, or that show damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair the roofing panels and eliminate all leaks in the various structures of the institution that show damage or deterioration.

• Inspect and repair the electrical system throughout the institution in accordance with the current national electrical code, wherever damage or deterioration is present.

• Inspect and repair the floors in the various structures of the institution (classrooms and cafeteria) that show damage or deterioration.

• Repair the entire stormwater drainage system of the institution, including gutters (canoas), downspouts (bajantes), drainage channels, and stormwater outlets (desfogues de aguas pluviales) on the property.

• Install perimeter fencing (malla perimetral) to delimit access to the institution.

• Provide a potable water storage tank and implement a maintenance and cleaning logbook (bitácora de mantenimiento y limpieza).

• Install a roof over the walkway between the cafeteria and the classroom.

• Increase the number of restrooms, taking into account the separation between the student population and administrative staff.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive waste management program (programa de gestión integral de residuos) as established by the Reglamento General a la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 37567-S-MINAET-H, Annex II, with its corresponding solid-waste delivery logbook.

• An Emergency Response Plan (Plan de Atención de Emergencias) must be developed and implemented in accordance with Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39502 - MP of November 10, 2015, entitled 'Standards for Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans for Workplaces or Public-Occupancy Centers.'" It is established that in 2024, MEP submitted a remedial action plan to the Ministry of Health, which that body approved, setting December 2026 as the compliance deadline. Currently, the initial estimate is being adjusted with the aim of advancing to the project formulation phase and subsequent phases, in accordance with the applicable technical and budgetary requirements. It is indicated that the proposed project would resolve the sanitary order and the deficiencies identified by the petitioners (recurrentes).

The foregoing facts lead the Court to conclude that the fundamental rights of the students of Escuela Vista de Térraba have been violated. While the compliance deadline for sanitary order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, has been extended to the coming month of December, it is equally true that the structural deficiencies of the educational center have been known to the respondent authorities for more than two years, with no evidence that they acted in a timely manner to address them. Even setting this aside, there is no indication whatsoever that the authorities intend to comply with the sanitary order before December—when the extension expires—given that they acknowledge the initial estimate is still being adjusted with the aim of advancing to the project formulation phase. It is reiterated that the sanitary order of October 27, 2023, identified risks to the students and therefore ordered repairs to the walls, roofs, ceilings, floors, the electrical system, and the stormwater drainage system throughout the institution, among other things. This Court understands the budgetary constraints that may exist, but from the standpoint of the protection of fundamental rights, it cannot be overlooked that what is at stake is the students' right to education and the right to health of both the students and the institution's staff.

Thus, this Court finds that the respondent authorities have failed to comply with the health order (orden sanitaria) or to remedy the problems identified two years ago, making it necessary for this Tribunal to intervene to guarantee the rights of those affected (students and staff).

**V.- Conclusion.** Consequently, in order to guarantee the safety of the minor students and their educational process in general, as well as the protection of staff members, the writ of amparo (recurso de amparo) is hereby granted on the terms set forth in the operative section (parte dispositiva) of this ruling.

**VI.- NOTE BY JUSTICE RUEDA LEAL.** Although the majority in the *sub iudice* states that the writ was filed on behalf of the Junta de Educación of the Escuela Vista de Térraba, it is apparent from the filing that the petitioners (accionantes) have in fact come before this jurisdiction on behalf of the students of that school. To that effect, they expressly state that they appear *"in defense of the fundamental rights of minors, specifically students of the Escuela Vista de Térraba (…)"*. In light of the foregoing, I proceed to rule on the merits of the matter.

**VII.- NOTE BY JUSTICE SALAZAR ALVARADO.** As a matter of principle, I consider that cases involving the inaction of the Public Administration (Administración Pública) with respect to the repair, construction, modification, or demolition of any infrastructure work should be dismissed, since such omission constitutes a matter of legality, the discussion of which belongs before the ordinary courts, where the interested party may more fully present their objections. However, when such administrative omission gives rise to a violation of other fundamental rights protected under this constitutional jurisdiction, or when it affects groups considered vulnerable, I do proceed to rule on the merits of the matter, as this situation constitutes an exception to my general position on this subject — as is the case here, in which the complaint concerns the lack of a definitive solution to the problem of serious structural deficiencies endangering the health, safety, and lives of students at the Escuela Vista de Térraba, located in Puerto Cortés. It is further alleged that the school suffers from recurring floods during the rainy season, including in the school cafeteria (comedor estudiantil), a situation that has already been reported to the National Emergency Commission (Comisión Nacional de Emergencias), yet without a permanent solution having been reached.

**VIII.- Documentation Submitted to the Case File.** The parties are hereby notified that any paper documents, objects, or evidence contained in any additional device of an electronic, computer-based, magnetic, optical, telematic, or new-technology nature that may have been submitted must be retrieved from the court office within a maximum of thirty business days from the date of notification of this judgment. Failing that, all such material not retrieved within that period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the *"Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial"*, approved by the Corte Plena in Session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI, and published in the Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in Session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.

**Therefore:** The writ of amparo is hereby granted. José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández and Allan Ramírez Solano are hereby ordered, in their respective capacities as Minister of Public Education and Director of Educational Infrastructure of the Ministry of Public Education, or whoever holds those positions, to coordinate and take all actions within the scope of their competencies so that, by **December 2026**, full compliance is achieved with health order MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 of October 27, 2023, issued by the Área Rectora de Salud de Osa of the Ministry of Health, with respect to the Escuela Vista de Térraba. The respondents, or whoever holds those positions, are hereby warned that, pursuant to Article 71 of the Constitutional Jurisdiction Act (Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional), a prison sentence of three months to two years or a fine of twenty to sixty day-fines (días multa) shall be imposed on anyone who receives an order — issued within a writ of amparo — that they must comply with or enforce, and fails to comply with or enforce it, provided the offense is not subject to a more severe penalty. The State is ordered to pay all costs, damages, and losses caused by the facts underlying this declaration, which shall be assessed in administrative-court enforcement proceedings (proceso de ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo). Justice Rueda Leal appends a note. Justice Salazar Alvarado appends a note.

Notify the parties.

Fernando Castillo V. Chief Justice Fernando Cruz C.

The content you submitted does not contain any Spanish legal text to translate. What was sent is base64-encoded binary image data (a JPEG file encoded as a `data:image/jpeg;base64,...` string) embedded in HTML markup, along with the name "Paul Rueda L." in a caption element.

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Luis Fdo.

Salazar A.

Jorge Araya G.

Anamari Garro V.

Ingrid Hess H.

Digitally Signed Document -- Verification Code -- Telephones: 2549-1500 / 800-SALA-4TA (800-7252-482).

Revisión del Documento  Res. Nº 2026017056 SALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del quince de mayo de dos mil veintiseis .

Recurso de amparo que se tramita en expediente número 26-010838-0007-CO, interpuesto por [Nombre 001], mayor, cédula de identidad [Valor 001] y [Nombre 002], mayor, cédula de identidad [Valor 002], a favor de la Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba, cédula jurídica [Valor 003], contra el Ministerio de Educación Pública.

Resultando:

1.- Por escrito recibido en la Secretaría de la Sala a las 14:23 horas del 26 de marzo de 2026, las recurrentes interponen recurso de amparo contra el Ministerio de Educación Pública -MEP- y expresan que la Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba es propietaria registral de la finca 208971-000, descrita como terreno destinado a construcción, ubicada en el Distrito Primero de Puerto Cortés. Señalan que la Escuela Vista de Térraba presenta graves deficiencias estructurales que ponen en riesgo la salud, seguridad y vida del estudiantado. Indican que, mediante la orden sanitaria nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 de 27 de octubre de 2023, el Ministerio de Salud ordenó la corrección de múltiples deficiencias estructurales, concediendo un plazo de un mes para corregir los problemas detectados. Mencionan que entre las deficiencias se identifican daños en techos, paredes, sistema eléctrico, pisos, problemas de agua potable, sanitarios, manejo de residuos y condiciones generales de seguridad. No obstante, a pesar de la orden sanitaria, no se han ejecutado las acciones correctivas necesarias. Afirman que existe un Plan Remedial elaborado por la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa del MEP, lo que demuestra conocimiento institucional del problema, pero dicho plan no ha sido ejecutado, configurándose una omisión consciente. Aducen que dentro de la población estudiantil hay dos niñas con Trastorno del Espectro Autista grado 3, no verbales, en condición de máxima vulnerabilidad, que requieren instalaciones seguras y accesibles. Añaden que el centro educativo sufre inundaciones recurrentes en época lluviosa, incluyendo el comedor estudiantil, situación que ya fue denunciada ante la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias. Alegan que la inacción de las autoridades recurridas vulnera directamente los derechos fundamentales de las personas menores de edad estudiantes del centro educativo, especialmente de aquellas con discapacidad. Solicita la intervención de esta Sala.

2.- Mediante resolución de las 17:32 horas del 17 de abril de 2026, la Presidencia de la Sala dio curso a este amparo y se le solicitó informe al Ministro y a la Directora de la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa, ambos del MEP, sobre los hechos alegados por la parte recurrente.

3.- Informan bajo juramento José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández y Allan Ramírez Solano, respectivamente, en su condición de Ministro de Educación Pública y de Director de Infraestructura Educativa del MEP (escrito presentado a las 13:36 horas del 30 de abril de 2026) en los siguientes términos:

“Sobre los hechos alegados por la parte recurrente, se procede a informar lo siguiente:

Primero: Mediante oficio DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026, suscrito en el Depto. de Programación y Seguimiento de la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa, se establece en lo conducente que:

“(…) De conformidad con lo solicitado por la Licda. Elizabeth Villalobos Montero, Asesora Legal de la Dirección, en relación con el recurso de amparo que se tramita bajo expediente número 26-010838-0007-CO, referente a la Escuela Vista de Térraba, código 3038, ubicado en la provincia de Puntarenas, cantón Osa, distrito Puerto Cortés, se informa que actualmente se avanza en la fase de formulación del proyecto, con el propósito de actualizar el alcance y el monto estimado de la intervención requerida.

Asimismo, durante este proceso se identificó una situación de carácter registral asociada al terreno, la cual se encuentra en verificación, a fin de determinar la existencia de seguridad jurídica que permita la eventual inversión de recursos públicos. Lo anterior resulta indispensable para la adecuada valoración de la viabilidad técnica y financiera del proyecto y, en consecuencia, para definir la procedencia de su continuidad.

En caso de que dicha viabilidad no se confirme (en especial la viabilidad técnica), se coordinará con la Dirección Regional de Educación respectiva la valoración de alternativas de solución dentro del ámbito de sus competencias.

En ese sentido, considerando la naturaleza y complejidad de este tipo de intervenciones, se estima de manera preliminar un plazo aproximado de dos años para el desarrollo y eventual ejecución del proyecto. Dicho plazo podrá variar en función de los resultados que se obtengan de la verificación de la situación registral del terreno y de las condiciones técnicas y financieras que se definan, entre otros...” Segundo. La información descrita en el apartado anterior se complementa a través del oficio DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026, según el cual se indica que:

“(…) se procede a ampliar la información brindada en el oficio DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026, referente al recurso de amparo tramitado bajo el expediente N.° 26-010838-0007-CO, correspondiente a la Escuela Vista de Térraba, código 3038:

En relación con la orden sanitaria señalada por la parte recurrente, se aclara que en el año 2024 se realizó una visita técnica al centro educativo, con el fin de valorar lo dispuesto por la Autoridad de Salud. Como resultado de dicha valoración, se determinó que la alternativa más conveniente corresponde a la reconstrucción del centro educativo, por lo que el proyecto propuesto resolvería la orden sanitaria y las deficiencias que señala la parte recurrente en el recurso de amparo.

Derivado de esta visita, se definió un alcance preliminar del proyecto y una estimación inicial de costos, lo cual permite orientar la planificación de su atención.

Asimismo, en ese mismo año se presentó ante el Ministerio de Salud un plan remedial de acciones, el cual fue aprobado por dicha entidad, estableciéndose como plazo de cumplimiento diciembre de 2026, por lo que el mismo se encuentra vigente. Actualmente, se está ajustando la estimación inicial, con el propósito de avanzar en la fase de formulación del proyecto y en las fases subsecuentes, conforme a los requerimientos técnicos y presupuestarios aplicables.

Según se indica por parte de la Supervisión de Circuito (consulta telefónica) el centro educativo está operando con normalidad por lo que no se está viendo afectado el servicio educativo.” Ante lo expuesto, cabe destacar que, se concretan a la fecha los actos administrativos preparatorios acorde al bloque de legalidad vigente, con el objeto de llevar a cabo las obras constructivas necesarias, a efecto de solventar de forma definitiva las deficiencias de infraestructura apuntadas, tome en cuenta demás, esa honorable Sala que existe un plan remedial aprobado por las autoridades del Ministerio de Salud, mismo que tiene como plazo diciembre 2026, por lo que no existe incumplimiento del mismo y por el contrario, se han tomados acciones a partir de las cuales no se constituye omisión que vulnere la esfera de Derechos Fundamentales propia de la organización amparada.

PRUEBA •Oficios DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0227-2026 y DVM-A-DIE-DPS-0231-2026, suscritos en el Depto. de Depto. de Programación y Seguimiento de la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa.

PETITORIA Debido a lo anterior solicitamos se declare sin lugar el presente Recurso de Amparo, ordenando en consecuencia el archivo del expediente respectivo”.

4.- En los procedimientos seguidos se han observado las prescripciones legales.

Redacta la Magistrada Garro Vargas; y,

Considerando:

I.- Objeto del recurso. Las recurrentes alegan que la Junta de Educación de la Escuela Vista de Térraba es propietaria registral de la finca 208971-000, descrita como terreno destinado a construcción, ubicada en Puerto Cortés. Señalan que la Escuela Vista de Térraba presenta graves deficiencias estructurales que ponen en riesgo la salud, seguridad y vida del estudiantado. Indican que, mediante la orden sanitaria nro. MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 de 27 de octubre de 2023, el Ministerio de Salud ordenó la corrección de múltiples deficiencias estructurales, concediendo un plazo de un mes para corregir los problemas detectados. Mencionan que, entre las deficiencias se identifican daños en techos, paredes, sistema eléctrico, pisos, problemas de agua potable, sanitarios, manejo de residuos y condiciones generales de seguridad. No obstante, a pesar de la orden sanitaria, no se han ejecutado las acciones correctivas necesarias. Afirman que existe un plan remedial elaborado por la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa del MEP, lo que demuestra conocimiento institucional del problema, pero dicho plan no ha sido ejecutado, configurándose una omisión consciente. Aducen que dentro de la población estudiantil hay dos niñas con trastorno del espectro autista grado 3, no verbales, en condición de máxima vulnerabilidad, que requieren instalaciones seguras y accesibles. Añaden que el centro educativo sufre inundaciones recurrentes en época lluviosa, incluyendo el comedor estudiantil, situación que ya fue denunciada ante la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias. Dicen que la inacción de las autoridades recurridas vulnera directamente los derechos fundamentales de las personas menores de edad estudiantes del centro educativo, especialmente de aquellas con discapacidad.

II.- Hechos probados. De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos, sea porque así han sido acreditados o bien porque los recurridos hayan omitido referirse a ellos según lo prevenido en el auto inicial:

• 1)En atención a la orden sanitaria MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 del 27 de octubre de 2023, personal de la Dirección de Infraestructura Educativa del MEP realizó una visita técnica en el año 2024 a la Escuela Vista de Térraba, ubicada en Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas, con el fin de valorar lo dispuesto por el Ministerio de Salud. Como resultado de dicha valoración se determinó que la alternativa más conveniente corresponde a la reconstrucción de la escuela (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).
• 2)Derivado de esta visita, se definió un alcance preliminar del proyecto y una estimación inicial de costos, lo cual permite orientar la planificación de su atención (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).
• 3)En el año 2024 el MEP presentó ante el Ministerio de Salud un plan remedial de acciones, el cual fue aprobado por dicha entidad, estableciéndose como plazo de cumplimiento el mes de diciembre de 2026 (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).
• 4)Actualmente, se está ajustando la estimación inicial con el propósito de avanzar en la fase de formulación del proyecto y en las fases subsecuentes, conforme a los requerimientos técnicos y presupuestarios aplicables (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).
• 5)El proyecto propuesto resolvería la orden sanitaria y las deficiencias que señalan las recurrentes (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).
• 6)La Escuela Vista de Térraba está operando con normalidad (véase informe de las autoridades recurridas).

III.- Sobre el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado en los centros educativos. Esta Sala en sentencia No. 2012-002021 de las 10:05 horas de 17 de febrero de 2012, reiterada en sentencia No. 2019-016257 de las 09:40 horas del 30 de agosto de 2019, indicó lo siguiente:

“III.- Sobre el derecho a gozar de un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado en los Centros de Educación- El derecho a la salud reconocido en los artículos 21 de la Constitución Política, 1 y 11 de la Declaración Americana de los Derechos y Deberes del Hombre, 4 de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos y 10 del Protocolo Adicional a la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos en Materia de Derechos, se encuentra íntimamente ligado al derecho a vivir en un ambiente sano y equilibrado, consagrado en el artículo 50 constitucional. La calidad ambiental es un parámetro fundamental de la calidad de vida; al igual que la salud, alimentación, trabajo, vivienda, educación, entre otros. En consecuencia, el Estado tiene la obligación de procurar una protección adecuada al ambiente, para lo cual debe tomar las medidas necesarias a fin de que el medio esté libre de contaminación, y que las alteraciones producidas tanto por el hombre como por la naturaleza, en el entorno próximo o lejano, no constituyan una lesión al ambiente ni a la salud de las personas que en él habitan. Se reconoce especialmente este derecho cuando está asociado a otros derechos fundamentales, como lo sería el derecho a la educación. Este último se configura como un derecho fundamental, el cual se traduce en el servicio público que brinda el Estado en los distintos centros educativos del país. Por lo tanto, lo menos que puede hacer el Estado es que al brindar la prestación de este servicio público no lesione otros derechos fundamentales, como sería el derecho a la salud y a un ambiente sano, tanto de los estudiantes como del personal docente y administrativo de la institución educativa”. (En igual sentido se dictaron las sentencias números 2012-08915 de las 9:30 horas del 29 de junio de 2012, y 2012-12430 de las 9:05 horas del 7 de setiembre de 2012).

IV.- Sobre el caso concreto. Tras analizar la prueba, la Sala tuvo por probado que los problemas acusados son de larga data. Efectivamente, el 27 de octubre de 2023, el Ministerio de Salud giró la orden sanitaria MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023, otorgando el plazo de un mes para corregir deficiencias de la Escuela Vista de Térraba, ubicada en Puerto Cortés, Osa de Puntarenas. La autoridad sanitaria ordenó lo siguiente:

“1. Elaborar y presentar ante el Área Rectora de Salud de Osa un Plan de acciones correctivas que involucre las acciones a ejecutar para subsanar las no conformidades detectadas en la institución y que se mencionan a continuación, dicho plan debe venir acompañado de un cronograma de actividades que indique la fecha de inicio y finalización de las obras, el mismo debe ser revisado y aprobado por el Ministerio de Salud y ser ejecutado en apego a lo indicado y aprobado en dicho Plan. Las mejoras para realizar son las siguientes:

• Reparar y/o cambiar paredes de las estructuras de la institución (aulas y comedor) y con deterioro por comején, humedad, desgaste, grietas, entre otros, que presenten daño o deterioro.

• Reparar y/o cambiar estructuras de techos, cielorrasos y precintas de las aulas y comedor dañados por comején o humedad, que presenten daño o deterioro.

• Revisar y reparar las láminas de techo y eliminar todas las goteras en las diferentes estructuras de la institución, que presenten daño o deterioro.

• Revisar y reparar el sistema eléctrico de toda la institución conforme el código eléctrico nacional vigente, que presenten daño o deterioro.

• Revisar y reparar los pisos en las diferentes estructuras de la institución (aulas y comedor), que presenten daño o deterioro.

• Reparar todo el sistema de canalización de aguas pluviales de la institución, lo que comprende, canoas, bajantes canales de conducción y desfogues de aguas pluviales de la propiedad.

• Colocar malla perimetral que delimite el acceso a la institución.

• Proveer de tanque de almacenamiento de agua potable, e implementar bitácora de mantenimiento y limpieza.

• Techar pasadizo entre el comedor y el aula.

• Aumentar la cantidad de sanitarios contemplando la división entre población estudiantil y personal administrativo.

• Elaborar e implementar un programa de gestión integral de residuos conforme lo establece el Reglamento General a la Ley para la Gestión Integral de Residuos No. 37567-S-MINAET-H, anexo II, con su respectiva bitácora de entrega de residuos sólidos.

• Se deberá elaborar e implementar el Plan de Atención de Emergencias conforme con lo establecido en el Decreto Ejecutivo No. 39502 - MP del 10 de noviembre de 2015 "Normas de Planes de Preparativos y Respuesta ante Emergencias para Centros Laborales o de Ocupación Pública”.

Se comprueba que en el año 2024 el MEP presentó ante el Ministerio de Salud un plan remedial de acciones, el cual fue aprobado por dicha entidad, estableciéndose como plazo de cumplimiento el mes de diciembre de 2026. Actualmente, se está ajustando la estimación inicial con el propósito de avanzar en la fase de formulación del proyecto y en las fases subsecuentes, conforme a los requerimientos técnicos y presupuestarios aplicables. Se indica que el proyecto propuesto resolvería la orden sanitaria y las deficiencias que señalan las recurrentes.

Los hechos anteriores permiten a la Sala concluir que se han lesionado los derechos fundamentales de los estudiantes de la Escuela Vista de Térraba. Si bien el plazo de cumplimiento de la orden sanitaria MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 del 27 de octubre de 2023 ha sido prorrogado hasta el próximo mes de diciembre, no menos cierto es que las deficiencias estructurales del centro educativo son conocidas por las autoridades recurridas desde hace más de dos años, sin que se verifique que velaran oportunamente por su solución. Incluso si se omitiera este hecho, no existe indicio alguno de que las autoridades pretendan cumplir la orden sanitaria antes de diciembre (cuando vence la prórroga), dado que se acepta que se está ajustando la estimación inicial con el propósito de avanzar en la fase de formulación del proyecto. Se reitera que la orden sanitaria del 27 de octubre de 2023 estableció riesgos para los estudiantes, por lo que ordenó reparar paredes, techos, cielos rasos, pisos, el sistema eléctrico y el sistema de canalización de aguas pluviales de toda la institución, entre otros. Esta Sala comprende las limitaciones de orden presupuestario que puedan existir, pero desde el punto de vista de la protección de los derechos fundamentales, no se puede perder de vista que están involucrados el derecho a la educación de los estudiantes y el derecho a la salud de estos y de los funcionarios. Así, esta Sala estima que las autoridades recurridas no han logrado acatar la orden sanitaria ni solventar los problemas detectados hace dos años, por lo que se hace necesaria la intervención de este Tribunal para garantizar los derechos de las personas afectadas (estudiantes y funcionarios).

V.- Conclusión. Por consiguiente, a fin de garantizar la seguridad de los menores estudiantes y, en general, su proceso educativo, así como la protección de los funcionarios, se declara con lugar el recurso en los términos que se indican en la parte dispositiva de este pronunciamiento.

VI.- NOTA DEL MAGISTRADO RUEDA LEAL. Si bien en el sub iudice la mayoría consigna que el recurso fue planteado a favor de la Junta de Educación de la escuela Vista de Térraba, del escrito de interposición se desprende que en realidad las accionantes acuden ante esta jurisdicción a favor de los estudiantes de ese centro educativo. En ese tanto, expresamente indican que comparecen “en resguardo de los derechos fundamentales de las personas menores de edad, específicamente estudiantes de la Escuela Vista de Térraba (…)”. En virtud de lo anterior, procedo a conocer el fondo del asunto.

VII.-NOTA DEL MAGISTRADO SALAZAR ALVARADO. En tesis de principio, considero que los casos relacionados con la inactividad de la Administración Pública en la reparación, construcción, modificación o demolición de cualquier obra de infraestructura, deben ser desestimados, por constituir, esa omisión, un tema de legalidad, cuya discusión corresponde a la jurisdicción ordinaria, ante la cual la persona interesada puede debatir, con mayor amplitud, sus disconformidades. Sin embargo, cuando de aquella conducta administrativa omisiva se derive alguna violación a otros derechos fundamentales tutelados en esta jurisdicción constitucional, o se afecten grupos considerados vulnerables, sí entro a conocer el fondo del asunto, por constituir esta situación una excepción a mi posición en esta materia, tal y como sucede en este caso, en que se reclama la falta de una solución definitiva al problema de graves deficiencias estructurales que ponen en riesgo la salud, seguridad y vida del estudiantado en la Escuela Vista de Térraba, ubicada en Puerto Cortés. Añaden que el centro educativo sufre inundaciones recurrentes en época lluviosa, incluyendo el comedor estudiantil, situación que ya fue denunciada ante la Comisión Nacional de Emergencias, pero sin contar con una solución definitiva.

VIII.- Documentación aportada al expediente. Se previene a las partes que, de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, estos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de treinta días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el "Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial", aprobado por la Corte Plena en Sesión No. 27-11 del 22 de agosto del 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial No. 19 del 26 de enero del 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la Sesión No. 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo del 2012, artículo LXXXI.

Por tanto:

Se declara con lugar el recurso. Se ordena a José Leonardo Sánchez Hernández y a Allan Ramírez Solano, respectivamente, en su condición de Ministro de Educación Pública y de Director de Infraestructura Educativa del Ministerio de Educación Pública o a quienes ocupen esos cargos, coordinar y disponer todas las actuaciones que se encuentren dentro del ámbito de sus competencias, a fin de que en el mes de diciembre de 2026 se cumpla con la totalidad de lo dispuesto en la orden sanitaria MS-DRRBRU-DARS-O-OS-0176-2023 del 27 de octubre de 2023, emitida por el Área Rectora de Salud de Osa del Ministerio de Salud, respecto a la Escuela Vista de Térraba. Se advierte a los recurridos, o a quienes ocupen eses cargos, que, de conformidad con lo establecido por el artículo 71 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, se impondrá prisión de tres meses a dos años o de veinte a sesenta días multa a quien recibiere una orden que deba cumplir o hacer cumplir, dictada dentro de un recurso de amparo, y no la cumpliere o no la hiciere cumplir, siempre que el delito no esté más gravemente penado. Se condena al Estado al pago de las costas, daños y perjuicios causados con los hechos que sirven de base a la presente declaratoria, los cuales se liquidarán en el proceso de ejecución de sentencia de lo contencioso administrativo. El magistrado Rueda Leal consigna nota. El magistrado Salazar Alvarado pone nota. Notifíquese.

Fernando Castillo V.

Fernando Cruz C.

Paul Rueda L.

Luis Fdo. Salazar A.

Jorge Araya G.

Anamari Garro V.

Ingrid Hess H.

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