President Danilo Medina in his state of the nation address announced that this year students would be able to graduate from high school by enrolling in online public school system classes. The courses will be offered as part of the República Digital program. He said the system would enable students to study and work at the same time. He said the intention is to reduce high school dropout rates. He highlighted how technology can be used to offer high quality programs with a wide reach.
During his speech, talking about employment and health, President Medina said the country was expanding faster economically than most other countries on the continent. He said that around 1,200,000 Dominicans have been lifted out of poverty and that the number of middleclass families has grown to historic levels. Medina referred to government statistics that indicate poverty was reduced from 39.7% in 2012 to 25.5% in 2017, and the middle class has grown from 22.6% to 30% of the population.
He highlighted the increase in the budget for the justice system and the prevention of crime going from RD$6,150 million in 2012 to RD$14,430 million in 2018 with a 25% increase in salaries, 250 new public prosecutors, 20 more medical examiners, 15 more forensic scientists, and more support team.
The President talked about his surprise visits saying that he had carried out 195 since 2012, with a budget of RD$29.84 billion to help those in rural areas throughout the country.
He confirmed that his administration would continue to work towards the modernization of agriculture throughout the country to spur an increase in exports. Medina noted the Ministry of Agriculture’s use of new technologies to combat pests and diseases. He also said he believed that exports were a major mechanism for growth in the economy and that for the first time in 2017 exports had exceeded US$10 billion.
The President mentioned that direct foreign investment was US$3.57 billion in 2017, and inflation was but 4.2%. “All this shows the positive image the country has abroad for its macroeconomic management and the future perspectives for the national economy,” he stated.
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28 February 2018
