El Caribe newspaper interviewed Julio Cordero, the administrative director of the Education Ministry, for its Sunday edition. Cordero explained that the ministry depends on the disbursements released by the National Budget office and that so far this year they have only received 57% of their allotted resources. 2003’s National Budget 2003 authorized the ministry disbursements of RD$11 billion, of which they have only received RD$6.03 billion. Cordero says that one of the much-needed programs that has been most hurt by the fund deficiency is that which rents out locations for public schools in areas where there is a shortage of classrooms. Cordero complained that the department does not sell anything and thus depends on the resources it receives from the central government. The Education Ministry’s budget has also suffered from the transfer of its pre-allocated funds to the benefit of programs for the Ministry of Armed Forces and the Presidency of the Republic.
Diario Libre reports that while the government and Congress have been indifferent to the plight of education, international organizations have saved the day by through donations and loans, including a US$54-million contribution from the European Union.
Education Minister and Vice-President Milagros Ortiz Bosch had been the most prominent PRD presidential nomination hopeful up until President Mejia confirmed his decision to seek re-election.