Public school enrollment is projected to soar by nearly 30% for the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year, a significant increase largely driven by the new policy lowering the entry age for preschool to three years old, the Ministry of Education reports. President Luis Abinader and Minister of Education Luis Miguel De Camps discussed these advancements during a meeting on Wednesday, 31 July 2025. Classes at public schools start on 25 August.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education (Minerd), also saw the formal presentation of Ordinance 02-2025. This critical new measure mandates the explicit integration of Moral, Civic, and Ethical Citizen Education into the national curriculum, reflecting the government’s commitment to foundational values from an early age. The ordinance was adopted during the first extraordinary session of the National Education Council.
Minister De Camps underscored the scale of the expansion, stating: “The 2025-2026 school year finds us working tirelessly, with concrete decisions focused on what’s essential: guaranteeing quality education for all.” He specifically highlighted the nearly 30% rise in initial (preschool) level enrollment, directly attributable to the updated age requirement for public schools.
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Ministry of Education
31 July 2025