Education Minister Alejandrina German is not optimistic that her budget allocation will be increased. She is lobbying for a total of RD$33 billion. Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa is blaming the International Monetary Fund for the education budget restrictions. The Ministry of Education was allocated RD$31.5 billion in the 2008 budget, up from its 2007 budget of RD$26 billion.<\/p>\n
Maria Teresa Cabrera, president of the Dominican Teachers Association (ADP) said the cuts would hinder the execution of many planned projects.<\/p>\n
In related news, the European Commission announced that it would be injecting EUR20 million into the Dominican budget to improve the quality of education. This amount is part of a total package of EUR48.2 million which the EU will donate between 2007 and 2010.<\/p>\n
In order to qualify for the funds for education, the European Union requests that the country: 1) comply with technical and structural management in agreement with the IMF; 2) increase political dialogue between the government and the donating entity; 3) increase the eight grade completion rate; 4) hire teachers through certification\/standardization or contests; 5) create a computer system for resources in line with the National accounts; 6) provide education for public employees at the central, district and regional level in the area of budget development; and 7) create a new organizational structure at the Ministry of Education level.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Education Minister Alejandrina German is not optimistic that her budget allocation will be increased. She is lobbying for a total of RD$33 billion. Hacienda Minister Vicente Bengoa is blaming the International Monetary Fund for the education budget restrictions. The Ministry of Education was allocated RD$31.5 billion in the 2008 budget, up from its 2007 budget … <\/p>\n