Minister of Education rejects accusations of denial for Haitian students

[Dolores]

Minister of Education Angel Hernandez, himself a life-long teacher, says there are some 40 different nationalities in the Dominican school system, and that the country provides basic education to any and all students, no matter their nationality.

However, he points out that the international community apparently only sees incidents with the Haitian school children. This is something that he rejects out of hand. He noted that the universal right to education is a part of the Dominican Constitution.

The report released by the United States Department of Labor stated that the Dominican Republic had only achieved “minimal advances” regarding the education of students.

Dominican government reports indicate that 147,000 Haitian children have been registered in Dominican public schools. The Haitian students receive the same school supplies and meals in school as their...

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[bob saunders]

We just fired a teacher who figured she had too many Haitian kids in her class, so she decided to pawn some of them off on another teacher, without going through the boss (my wife) Yes, some of them arrive in school not speaking Spanish and have parents that speak creole. Most of them have a parent or parents that speak Spanish or an older sibling that does. Most of them are speaking Spanish pretty fast just by learning from Dominican kids. Some of them learn faster than many Dominican kids. We have no issues in general with Haitian students.

 

[JD Jones]

Bob, out of curiosity, do you have a waiting list of persons who want to teach at your school?

 

[johne]

We just fired a teacher who figured she had too many Haitian kids in her class, so she decided to pawn some of them off on another teacher, without going through the boss (my wife) Yes, some of them arrive in school not speaking Spanish and have parents that speak creole. Most of them have a parent or parents that speak Spanish or an older sibling that does. Most of them are speaking Spanish pretty fast just by learning from Dominican kids. Some of them learn faster than many Dominican kids. We have no issues in general with Haitian students.

Who pays their tuition? Do you offer a pay plan for any of the student at the school?

 

[johne]

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What does it cost to educate, feed, and give supplies to each and every school child grades k-8 grade (per child) in the public system. Secondly, a family member that works for the government (in Nagua) "watching children during school hours," I assume that's not teaching, she makes $500./month. Does that money come from a school budget or some sort of social services budget?

 

[bob saunders]

Who pays their tuition? Do you offer a pay plan for any of the student at the school?

The parents pay. There was an American charity that used to pay but they stopped after covid. Everyone pays the same other than those that require extensive tutoring. If a family has two or more children in the school they pay a reduced rate.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

We have several Haitians in our little school. They are poor, POOR. Each receives a scholarship (thanks, in part to some dr1 members) but they still are obligated to pay a token amount. For one woman, even 200 pesos a month was too much, so we are having her come every morning to prepare and serve snacks.

All other scholarship recipients must also do one hour of volunteer work each week. Especially for the Haitians, it is an opportunity to learn Spanish, to observe how to talk to a child, and how to use positive discipline. We are educating the parents as well as the children. And that is a win- win.

 

[johne]

So I suppose there are no public schools near the areas of post #6 & #7.

 

[bob saunders]

So I suppose there are no public schools near the areas of post #6 & #7.

Why would you suppose that. There are two public schools within a block of our school. Both are full to overflowing with both Haitian and Dominican children. Most of the Haitian children going to our school have fathers working in construction and mothers working in the greenhouses. Both pay decent wages, by Dominican standards.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

We also have public schools that accept Haitians. Haitians in Jamao Pueblo work construction. Those in the mountain communities work in the farms.

 

[j_d66]

I applaud both of you for your efforts. All students regardless of heritage should be afforded the opportunity to learn as there are no doubts that an educated child will have a much better chance of success in their adult life.