After the government significantly increased its funding for public education, students have had to endure strikes by their teachers seeking their share of the increase. Professors at the UASD, who make by far much more than professors at the private universities, were assigned an additional RD$850 million in wages and benefits of their own RD$1.2 billion increase, and teacher and employee unions have organized strikes to put pressure on the government. El Dia reports that barely a month after the start of classes, there have already been three strikes and cancelled classes at the state university UASD. The professors want their share of the RD$1.2 billion increase the government granted to the university in the budget this year. The university authorities offered 10% now and another 5% increase in May, but the professors want more now. Teachers report for signing the registration that they attended, but without teaching the classes as a way of ensuring they get paid. The RD$850 million would fund a 10% increase plus 25% in expenditure.
El Dia reports that classes at the UASD had already started late because of serious delays in the computerized registration process. The registration system contract is being questioned despite the fact that it cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
The first strike at the UASD was for 48 hours, the second for 72, and the third does not have a time definition.
El Dia reports that the situation has been similar in public schools. The government decision to allocate 23% of the National Budget to pre-university education has also resulted in reduced hours of education for the students. It says that teachers take time off for meetings to discuss their demand for a 100% wage increase. The Ministry of Education has proposed that teachers working whole day shifts should make RD$33,000 in 2013, and RD$19,000 for those working half-day shifts. The wages would gradually be increased to RD$53,000 in 2016 for a full day, and RD$30,000 for part time. But the public school teachers union, the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) is threatening to strike on Tuesday, 5 March if their demands are not met.
www.eldia.com.do/nacionales/2013/2/28/108358/Aumento-de-recursos-a-educacion-trae-menos-clases-y-mas-huelgas