President Luis Abinader highlighted the results of the PISA 2022 Test, which indicate that the Dominican Republic is one of the 11 countries, among 81 measured, that improved its scores in the global educational standard test. The DR scores were up an average of 16 points compared to scores in 2018. Abinader says that the results reveal a strong commitment for improvement from educational institutions and students.
Education has been a weak point for President Luis Abinader who initially appointed his 2020 presidential campaign director Roberto Furcal to the position of Minister of Education. Two years later, Furcal was removed after numerous accusations of corruption in office in detriment to improvements in education and his handling of the Covid-19 crisis in regards to schools. In 2022, Furcal was finally removed and replaced with Angel Hernandez.
“This report should serve as a call to action to redouble our efforts and work together to transform our educational system,” President Abinader said on 5 December 2023, speaking during a press conference at the Presidential Palace with Vice President Raquel Peña and Education Minister Ángel Hernández.
He reported that policies and strategies that promote quality, equity and inclusion in education are promoted in the country.
He added that the government is also working to strengthen teacher training and the comprehensive development of students, improving school infrastructure and investing in educational technology.
He stated that the country is focused on improving, so the government is developing a strategy to stop the decline in educational quality and achieve considerable improvement.
Minister Ángel Hernández said the Dominican educational system advanced in mathematics, reading and science, reaching 350 points. He said 2022 was the year with the best historical performance in these areas.
According to the report, of 81 countries participating in the PISA 2022 test, only 11 experienced improvements compared to themselves between 2018-2022, of which only two are in Latin America — the Dominican Republic and Panama.
The PISA tests have been applied in the Dominican Republic since 2015. The DR that year placed in last place after three years of investing 4% of GDP in the public education sector.
In 2018 the tests were applied for the second time with the same poor performance. But now, the Dominican Republic increased on average 16 points compared to the 2018 measurement.
Eduardo Hidalgo, president of the Public Education Teachers Association (ADP), says that there is nothing to celebrate. He said the results of the PISA Tests presented on 5 December show the Dominican Republic is 100 points below the expected average score in science, language and mathematics and 200 points below the highest score, recorded on this test, this year.
The high cost and low levels of public school teachers in the Dominican Republic is said to be one of the reasons for the low academic levels of Dominican students.
Diario Libre editorial remarks on findings of the Diario Libre-Greenberg poll that indicate that parents are satisfied with the local educational system.
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6 December 2023