Given the many corruption scandals that marked the Ministry of Education under former Minister Roberto Furcal, the new minister Angel Hernandez has announced that the Ministry itself would publish the printed and digital text books for the next school year, 2023-24. Private companies have contested his decision.
“The Ministry of Education will have the books for the school year that starts at the end of August,” says Education Minister Angel Hernández.
In view of the scandals concerning past bids for the purchase of books in past administrations, Hernández announced the implementation of the “Open Book” project, whereby the Ministry will produce the material and provide this free of charge to public school students. He says this will represent savings of more than RD$4 billion in Ministry funds, which will then be used in other areas.
Hernandez appointed Manuel Núñez to direct a new Editorial Unit at the Ministry of Education. He says alliances have been made with the better minds, talents and capacities of the country in universities and schools. The deadline to deliver the text books is the last week of May, when the printing process will begin.
“In early education we are working to deliver three sets of books: pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and pre-primary. In primary education we are preparing 45 books corresponding to the 8 subjects of the curriculum and in secondary education we will deliver 57 books,” he assured.
The Editorial Unit of the Ministry of Education has signed agreements with the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD), the Universidad Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU) and the Universidad Central del Este (UCE).
Also, with the Universidad ISA, Pastoral Educativa, Congregación Fe y Alegría, Academia de Ciencias de la República Dominicana, Academia Dominicana de la lengua, Archivo General de la Nación and the Academia de Historia Dominicana.
They also stated that other institutions and intellectuals will be incorporated to the “Libros Abiertos” collection.
The Ministry of Education also announced the reinforcement of public schools to resist a magnitude 7 earthquake.
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Ministry of Education
22 February 2023