Minister of the Presidency Gonzalo Montalvo has announced that a commission chaired by Elena Viyella, who heads the education NGO Educa, has been appointed to investigate accusations of irregularities after an NCDN video showed a “Quisqueya Aprende Contigo” literacy campaign graduation event where the supposed graduates had not attended the literacy courses. Mayor Roberto Salcedo, who is seeking re-election, gave the keynote speech at the supposed graduation ceremony for 2,500 beneficiaries.
The video was widely shared on social media when journalists interviewed the supposed graduates who said they had been invited to the ceremony and dressed in graduation gowns even though they had not attended the literacy courses.
The commission will also include the Archbishop of Higuey, Monsignor Gregorio Nicanor Pena, and Jose Ramon Holguin, rector of the Association of Non-Alliged Universities (Auna). Pedro Luis Castellanos will act as liaison for the government.
In response to the video, the Medina administration has called for the suspension of other graduation ceremonies for the program until after the general election on 15 May 2016.
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/2016/04/19/i209199_gobierno-designa-comision-investigara-sucedido-alfabetizacion.html
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/educacion/montalvo-se-reunio-con-la-comision-que-investiga-el-caso-de-alfabetizados-CC3411455
