The two provinces where schools could first be authorized to reopen are Monte Plata and Elías Piña. The Ministry of Public Health reports these have a positivity rate of under 5%. Elías Piña reports 4.16% and Monte Plata 4.42%. The Ministry of Education has given priority to distance learning programs rather than to prepare public schools for a return to in-person learning.
Last year, former Minister of Public Health Plutarco Arias had stated that schools could restart when the positivity dropped under 10%. But now the National Education Council (CNE) has determined that gradual, voluntary, safe return to in-person learning will only be considered for provinces where the positivity rate is under 5%. The 14-day positivity rate in the country is at 12.71%, as of bulletin #346 issued on 27 February 2021.
While private schools are pushing for a return to classes, the public school teachers’ union has a list of conditions that make it unlikely public schools, in general, will reopen in time for the present school year and the start of the next school year in August. The Abinader government has invested billions in distance learning programs and devices for public school children and much less in conditioning the schools.
The Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) announced that they did not approve the renewal of classes in the schools, as had been announced by a press release from the National Educational Council. Xiomara Guante, the ADP president, said that what they did approve in the meeting with Education Minister Roberto Furcal was creating a timeline for the gradual reopening, but no date was set for the renewal of classes in the schools. The Association spokesperson notes that over 75% of schools are without water, among other issues. While supporting the health protocols, the ADP said that it was necessary for the number of cases the decrease significantly (“flattening the curve”), and the teachers have to be all vaccinated. Plus, the schools themselves need to be in proper condition to give classes. And without water as cited above, there is no way to maintain the schools’ required hygiene.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
1 March 2021