Dominican official urges parties not to politicize education

Dominican Administrative Minister of the Presidency Andrés Bautista has urged political parties to keep education outside partisan disputes, saying political interference holds back national development.

“​​When education becomes politicized, it creates a setback that society as a whole must overcome,” Bautista said. He argued that education should remain a national priority rather than an arena for party interests.

His remarks followed a dispute over the number of Haitian children enrolled in Dominican schools. Senator Omar Fernández of the National District said the enrollment had increased, while Education Minister Luis Miguel De Camps rejected the claim.

Speaking at the First José Francisco Peña Gómez Congress of the Primero la Gente party, Bautista called on politicians to make responsible, fact-based and constructive observations about the education system. He said some schools naturally require repairs because of the number of educational facilities across the country. The government, he added, has ordered the demolition of buildings that have reached the end of their useful lives and will repair others to provide suitable conditions for students and teachers.

Bautista said strengthening education cannot depend on the government alone. Parents, teachers and other participants in the education process must also contribute, he said, and political differences should not take precedence over the education and future of younger generations.

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When education becomes politicized, it creates a setback that society as a whole must overcome