The Ministry of Education says that a tender is being issued for purchasing and supplying musical instruments for 250 school bands. At present, only 47 of the country’s schools have their own bands. Music instruction is part of the afternoon curriculum as part of the extended school day programs nationwide. In an interview with Listin Diario, Minister of Education Carlos Amarante Baret said that the arts are key to the afternoon programs. He said students would be taught dance, music, drama, photography, painting, sculpture and short filmmaking.
During the interview, Amarante mentioned that 36,000 foreign students without birth certificates were enrolled in public schools in the current school year, of a total 91,203 students who were enrolled without the document. Amarante said that this year 9,092 cases were resolved and birth certificates issued. The document is needed for students to complete 8th grade.
The attractive wage of RD$39,909 for elementary teachers is affecting private schools that are losing their teachers to the public sector. High school teachers are being paid RD$46,028. More parents are choosing to send their children to the public schools that have afternoon programs included and are free.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/3/22/360900/36-mil-hijos-extranjeros-ilegales-estan-en-las-aulas-sin-actas
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/3/22/360901/Mas-de-91-mil-alumnos-no-tienen-actas
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/3/22/360903/Salarios-atraen-a-profesionales