The lack of supplies, paint or other materials for minor repairs in the nation’s public schools is no longer an issue, since this year the Ministry of Education will be transferring RD$5 billion to some 6,980 schools, as reported in Listin Diario. The budget is about 208% up on last year because of the assignment of 4% of GDP to the Ministry of Education. The money is part of a decentralization program run out of the Ministry by Alexis Fradera. The aim of the program is to empower local school boards at the regional, district and school levels to make decisions on the proper use of the money to improve the school buildings. According to Fradera, the local boards can now plan for a year’s work based on their budgets. It is expected that by 2014 every school in the country will take part in the program.