President Leonel Fernandez admitted yesterday that the Dominican education system was “in deep crisis”. He made this statement during a speech to students and teachers yesterday at the launch of the “Forum for excellence in Dominican education”. The President said that the nation should aim for mandatory schooling until 10th grade, producing students capable of reason and well versed in reading, mathematical and scientific skills, as well as knowledge of computers and competence in English. These, said Fernandez, are the skills required by modern society. He highlighted exclusion from the education system as its greatest weakness, saying that only 24 students in every 100 go through to receiving their “bachillerato” (high school certificate). “This means that 76% of the population is excluded from further education”. The President added that moral, ethical and civic instruction need to be maintained as central facets of the educational process, as well as continuous training for teachers. The “Forum for excellence in Dominican education” brings together teachers, students, parents and other education professionals with the aim of stimulating the improvement of the national education system. One of the main areas for debate will be the reform of the education system and a reassessment of the role of universities.