The director of the Adult Education Department at the Ministry of Education, Miriam Camilo says that there has been an overwhelming response from volunteers interested in participating in the adult literacy programs in all the country’s provinces. This year the government launched a program aimed at teaching 850,000 illiterate people in the Dominican Republic to read and write. Camilo said that the government has fallen short in the amount of educational support material for all the volunteers.
She referred to complaints where participants in Santiago were asked to sign receipts for RD$1,400 when they only received RD$200. She said this occurred because the Ministry had prepared for 800 participants but 2,602 volunteers responded to the call and the board decided to purchase snacks for everyone and only distribute the RD$200 for transport, adding that this was explained at the time. Camilo said that what happened in Santiago was a learning experience that will help to ensure greater transparency in the program and prevent it from being questioned.
She said that the materials they need would be ready by the end of the week.
“We are happy that the material was not enough in many provinces. What would have been sad is if the goals had not been met.”
Yesterday, Thursday 10 January, National District mayor Roberto Salcedo announced that city government volunteers would teach 53,000 people in the National District to reach and write. The first group includes 522 students and 417 volunteers to teach them. The volunteers are from universities, church groups, neighborhood groups and community organizations.
www.elcaribe.com.do/2013/01/11/educacion-dice-que-desbordo-cantidad-alfabetizadores