The Fernández administration signed an agreement with 15 universities and six high schools to train some 30,000 public school teachers. The program will last through year 2005 and the goal is that by then, 80% of public school teachers will have university education levels. The program will cost upwards of RD$70 million. During the signing of the agreement with the universities, President Leonel Fernández told the educational sector that in the future increases in salaries will be based on merit. He said he feels it is not right that all teachers be treated the same when there are some that work harder and strive to stay ahead of their students. Minister of Education Ligia Amada Melo de Cardona represented the state educational sector.
