El Salvador is expanding access to digital education through a nationwide partnership with online learning platform Platzi, granting citizens free access to more than 1,600 courses through the government’s Certifícate program. President Nayib Bukele described the initiative as an opportunity for growth, development, and expansion, emphasizing its potential to strengthen both professional and personal skills across the country.
Through his official X account, Bukele highlighted the value of the platform’s offerings and the mindset required to take advantage of them. “Platzi free for all Salvadorans. Those who seek to grow will find opportunities, tools, old paths and new paths, doors that open and windows too. Those who seek excuses will find excuses. One finds what one seeks,” the president wrote.
The alliance allows Salvadorans to enroll at no cost in courses covering technology, artificial intelligence, business, digital marketing, and English, among other fields. Platzi’s content is updated regularly and can be accessed from any internet-connected device, offering flexible and practical training aligned with global market demands.
Speaking on Diálogo 21, Innovation Secretary Daniel Méndez said the program reflects the government’s strategy to develop digital talent nationwide. “As President Bukele mentioned, those who look for opportunities to grow will find them,” he stated.
Méndez explained that the government has enabled free access through the portal certificate.gob.sv, eliminating payment barriers for users. “The platform is virtual, free, asynchronous, and hybrid, allowing access both online and offline,” he said, noting that Platzi has more than six million users worldwide.
The Certifícate program is structured around 17 schools and 155 learning paths, including preparation for TOEFL certification. Registration requires only a name, last name, and email address, after which users receive an activation message to begin their training. According to Méndez, the platform will remain free for Salvadorans throughout 2026.
Interest in the initiative has been strong, with more than 60,000 registrations recorded within the first 24 hours of the portal’s launch. English courses have been among the most in-demand, reflecting the country’s growing tourism sector and the increasing importance of bilingual skills. “With just a mobile phone, people can access the platform and explore the full range of training available,” Méndez concluded, encouraging Salvadorans to take advantage of the opportunity.