In the presence of President Luis Abinader, Education Minister Angel Hernandez announced that RD$3 billion are being invested to prepare public schools targeting 2.6 million students for the start of the 2023-2024 school on 28 August 2023. Hernandez was appointed to the position in August 2022, inheriting the two first chaotic years of former minister Roberto Furcal.
Hernandez spoke at the Presidential Palace event on Monday, 31 July and highlighted the government efforts for improved quality in education.
This summer intensive teacher training workshops are being held to improve teaching skills of public school teachers. Spanish Language, Mathematics teacher guidebooks have been prepared for the teachers. There have been major changes to the curricula at all levels.
The Ministry announced new assessment reports. Report cards and grade requirements for passing are in place for the 2023-2024 school year. Proficiency in reading and writing is now required for children to pass third grade. Previously, students were automatically passed.
For 2023-2024, the Ministry of Education will implement new programs to promote comprehensive education. The new programs include: the Educational Robotics program, the School Health program, the English language learning program and the Culture of Peace program, which seek to improve the well-being and learning of students.
In September 2023, the Mijnistry will be inaugurating the Psychoemotional Attention Center (CAPEM), a support network to provide assistance and response to psycho-affective and psycho-pedagogical situations in the national community, offering specialized therapies according to the needs. Likewise, seven schools nationwide will open ready for students with autism, expanding to 30 offering autism student programs later in the school year.
A new inter-ministerial strategy, “Open and Active Schools,” will be developed with other ministries to offer opportunities for physical, sports, recreational and cultural activities for students and the community.
School meals have been arranged this time to start from day one.
The Ministry of Education will allow students that do not have birth certificates to stay in school after sixth grade. The measure largely benefits immigrants from Haiti, but also hundreds of thousands of Dominican-born children that do not have birth certificates because their parents are not documented either.
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El Caribe
1 August 2023