[Vocational schools and the development of the human resources for water and sanitation institutions]

On the basis of his experience in occupational training in Panama, the author regards the vocational, professional and technical school as endowed with the requisites for the provision of adequate training of personnel for water supply and sanitation institutions. In his view, the programs of those schools, with their substantial content in technical, cultural and scientific subjects as well as practical activities, provide training that will enable the student to function successfully in the field in which he will be employed, and to pursue high-level careers. Despite the difficulties of various kinds to be surmounted, the author feels that, with the collaboration of the institutions in the sector, programs could be designed with any occupational profile that were regarded as necessary, as an accurate response for producing the technicians that the institutions need. The study plans of the professional and technical schools of Panama are added in an appendix.