Educa proposes reform project to depoliticize pre-university education in the Dominican Republic

As part of a series of actions that he proposes to depoliticize pre-university educationthe entity Business Action for Education (Educa) proposes to submit a reform project that modifies the functions and composition of the National Council of Education (CNE).

According to the organization, the change would be made specifically regarding the shaping of political power. The CNE is the rector of the educational system that must direct the educational transformation policies of the Dominican Republic. According to its regulations, its conformation must be pluralistic and all sectors that influence the rise and educational development must be represented in it.

In his proposal, Educa proposes that “political power be subrogated to the living forces of society, and that the budget and curriculum are approved by special majorities”.

It also asks to consider the possibility of grant powers to the council so that he can submit to the President of the Republic the removal of the Minister of Education when it does not comply with the strategic and management plan that has been approved.

Educa also states that the appointment of all teaching and administrative positions by opposition contest is in charge of an independent entity, in addition to suspending the payment to all those teaching or non-teaching officials whose justified absence has not been corroborated in the last 30 days.

He also sees the possibility of preventing regional and district directors they can exercise political functions, except for the vote, during their administration, and make it impossible for 36 months to elective positions to those who hold the positions of Minister and Vice Ministers of Education.

With its approach, the entity says it adheres to the call of the President of the Republic, Luis Abinader, regarding the need to depoliticize education with a view to redirecting it along quality paths.

The president’s call came as a result of the results recently released by the Ministry of Education (Minerd) on the diagnostic tests that show the structural learning problems of education in the Dominican Republic.

You are not surprised by the low results

Educa expressed not being surprised by the low results “that once again have been revealed by the diagnostic tests applied by the Minerd at the end of each school year”, as he understands that they are a reflection of structural problems that have persisted over the last 30 years.

In the opinion of Educathe country shows a crisis in learning mathematicsboth in the public and private sectors, at all grades and levels, a situation that, he considers, has more profound effects than mere learning or the acquisition of skills by students.

In its reflections on the subject, the organization affirms that depoliticizing education implies not only distancing partisan and opportunist interests, but also avoid privatizing practices that undermine the corporate interests of a union that has developed a culture of demanding perks without giving anything in return.